Reading Theme:
Astonish Definition, Usage, and Examples
Meaning 1:shock with wonder (astonish)
astonish
/əˈstɒnɪʃ/
vt.
To make someone feel very surprised or amazed.
shock with wonder
➕
/ʃɒk wɪð ˈwʌndər/
vt.
To cause someone to feel extremely surprised or shocked, often by something unexpected or remarkable.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
From Old French 'estoner', meaning 'to stun', from Latin 'ex-' (out) + 'tonare' (to thunder).
💡 Mnemonic
A 'stone' thrown at you – it astonishes you with the sudden pain and surprise.
📖 Example
The prototype of a phone that can fold into a wallet astonished all the viewers at the tech exhibition.
The prototype of a phone that can fold into a wallet astonished all the viewers at the tech exhibition.
🔗 Collocations
astonish someone – to make a person feel great surprise
be astonished at/by – to feel very surprised because of something
astonishing news – news that causes extreme surprise
🔄 Synonyms
🚫 Antonyms
🌱 Derivatives
astonishing (adj.) – Causing great surprise or amazement.
astonished (adj.) – Feeling or showing great surprise.
astonishment (n.) – The state of being very surprised or shocked.
📖 Cultural Story
Derived from the Latin verb 'tonare' (to thunder), suggesting a shock as powerful as a thunderclap. It displaced the Old English word 'āstȳnan'.
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