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Astonish

1. To stun; to render senseless, as by a blow. Enough, captain; you have astonished him. [Fluellen had struck Pistol] (Shak) The very cramp-fish [i. E, torpedo] . . . Being herself not benumbed, is able to astonish others. (Holland)

2. To strike with sudden fear, terror, or wonder; to amaze; to surprise greatly, as with something unaccountable; to confound with some sudden emotion or passion. Musidorus . . . Had his wits astonished with sorrow. (Sidney) I, Daniel . . . Was astonished at the vision. (dan. Viii. 27)

Synonym: to amaze, astound, overwhelm, surprise.

Astonished, Surprised. We are at what is unexpected. We are astonished at what is above or beyond our comprehension. We are taken by surprise. We are struck with astonishment. See Amaze.

Origin: oe. Astonien, astunian, astonen, OF. Estoner, f. Etonner, fr. L. Ex out _ tonare to thunder, but perhaps influenced by E. Stun. See thunder, Astound, Astony.