amazement
(əˈmeɪzmənt)
[f. amaze v. + -ment. (An early instance of this suffix added to a Teutonic vb.)]
orig. Loss of one's wits or of self-possession through any cause whatever.
† 1. The condition of being mentally paralyzed, mental stupefaction, frenzy. Obs.
| 1606 Shakes. Tr. & Cr. v. iii. 85 Behold, destraction, frenzie, and amazement, Like witlesse Antickes, one another meete. 1671 Milton P.R. iv. 561 Satan, smitten with amazement, fell. 1746 W. Collins Ode to Fear Wks. 1771, 45 The Maids and Matrons, on her awful Voice, Silent and pale, in wild amazement hung. |
† 2. Loss of presence of mind; bewilderment, perplexity, distraction (due to doubt as to what to do). Obs.
| 1595 Shakes. John v. i. 35 Wilde amazement hurries up & downe The little number of your doubtfull friends. 1641 Baker Chron. (1679) 333/1 This answer was but to hold her in amazement, while some mischief was practising against her. 1690 J. Norris Beatitudes (1694) I. 50 A thing that can hardly be thought of without Confusion and Amazement. 1722 De Foe Plague (1756) 198 This Amazement of the Magistrates proceeded rather from want of being able to apply any Means successfully, than from any Unwillingness. |
† 3. Overwhelming fear or apprehension, consternation, alarm. Obs.
| 1596 Spenser F.Q. (L.) Adding new Fear to his first amazement. 1611 Bible 1 Pet. iii. 6 Not afraid with any amazement [Wyclif, Rhem. perturbation; Tindale, shadow; Cranmer, Genev. terror]. 1641 Milton Ch. Govt. vii. (1851) 132 To cast amazements and panick terrors into the hearts of weaker Christians. 1756 Burke Subl. & B. Wks. I. 159 Do not the French étonnement and the English astonishment and amazement point out as clearly the kindred emotions which attend fear and wonder? |
4. Overwhelming wonder, whether due to mere surprise or to admiration.
| 1602 Shakes. Ham. iii. ii. 339 Your behauior hath stroke her into amazement, and admiration. 1611 Bible Acts iii. 10 They were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened vnto him. 1624 Ld. Kensington in Ellis Orig. Lett. ii. 302 III. 178 But the amasment extraordinary to finde her..the sweetest creature in France. a 1742 Bentley Serm. (L.) To raise unprofitable amazement. 1866 G. Macdonald Ann. Q. Neighb. xii. (1878) 237, I saw to my amazement..Miss Oldcastle struggling against the wind. |