Pronunciation: [ɐɡˈast] (IPA) 
The word "aghast" is spelled with the letters A-G-H-A-S-T. The IPA phonetic transcription of this word is /əˈɡæst/. The first syllable is pronounced with a schwa sound, while the second syllable has a short "a" sound. The "gh" combination in this word is silent, therefore, the pronunciation of this word does not include a sound for the "gh". Aghast is an adjective that means extremely surprised, shocked, or dismayed.
Aghast, an adjective, refers to a state of shock, horror, or profound dismay caused by something unexpected, terrible, or unthinkable. When confronted with a disturbing or appalling event, an individual may experience aghastness, which is characterized by a sense of intense fear, astonishment, or disbelief. The word originates from Middle English and Old English, combining the prefix “a-,” which denotes negation or absence, with “gast,” meaning fright or terror.
The primary emotion associated with being aghast is an overwhelming feeling of fear or dread. It can be compared to frozen horror, causing a person's body and mind to momentarily cease functioning as their attention is entirely consumed by the source of their dismay. This profound shock or dismay leaves a person visibly shaken, often resulting in a pale face, widened eyes, dropped jaws, or a gasp. Aghast may also manifest as a sudden paralysis or an instinctual recoil, as an individual's body automatically responds physiologically to the perceived threat or danger.
The term aghast is commonly used to describe extreme reactions to witnessing or being told about situations that are deeply disturbing, horrifying, or morally repellent. It is also employed to convey astonishment at something that contradicts one's deeply held beliefs or value system. The depth of aghastness is subjective and varies among individuals, depending on their personal experiences, cultural background, and level of sensitivity.
In summary, aghast signifies a state of profound shock, horror, or dismay in response to unexpected, terrible, or unthinkable events. It captures the essence of an individual's overwhelming fear or astonishment, often evinced through physical and emotional reactions in the face of a deeply troubling occurrence.
Struck with horror; stupefied with sudden fright.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "aghast" originates from the Middle English term "agast", which can be traced back to Old English "aga" (terror). This Old English word is related to the Old Norse term "agi" (fright). The exact origin beyond these ancient Germanic roots is uncertain, but it likely has a common source with other related words in Germanic languages. The term "aghast" has retained its general meaning of being struck with terror or filled with dismay throughout its evolution in the English language.
