The phrase "are dumbstruck" refers to a state of being speechless or amazed. The spelling of "dumbstruck" reflects the pronunciation of the word, which is transcribed as /dʌmstrʌk/ in IPA phonetic transcription. The word "dumb" originally meant "mute" and "struck" means "hit with a blow". The word "dumbstruck" first appeared in English in the 17th century and has been widely used ever since to describe the feeling of being rendered speechless due to surprise or shock.
The phrase "are dumbstruck" is an idiomatic expression that refers to a state of being completely speechless or stunned by astonishment, shock, or disbelief. When someone is dumbstruck, they are rendered incapable of uttering any words due to the overwhelming intensity of their reaction to a surprising or extraordinary event, experience, or piece of information.
The term "are dumbstruck" can be seen as a metaphorical representation of a person being struck dumb or mute, as if their ability to speak has been taken away momentarily. The feeling of astonishment or shock is so profound that it leaves the individual in a state of temporary speechlessness, often accompanied by open-mouthed or wide-eyed silence.
This phrase is commonly used to describe situations where individuals find themselves utterly unable to articulate a response or express their thoughts verbally when confronted with a highly unexpected or emotionally affecting occurrence. It often implies an extreme sense of amazement, wonder, or disbelief, leaving a person momentarily incapacitated to verbalize their thoughts or react in any articulate manner.
The state of being dumbstruck can be caused by various reasons, such as witnessing a remarkable feat or achievement, receiving extraordinary news, experiencing intense joy or grief, or encountering an extraordinary event or unexpected turn of events. Ultimately, being dumbstruck is an overwhelming emotional response that temporarily robs one of the ability to verbalize their thoughts or feelings.
The etymology of the phrase are dumbstruck can be broken down as follows:
1. Dumb: The word dumb comes from the Old English word dumb or dumbb, which means silent or unable to speak. It has its roots in the Proto-Germanic word dumbaz.
2. Struck: The term struck is derived from Middle English, where it was spelled strik. It originated from the Old English word stryccan, meaning to hit or to strike. The Proto-Germanic word strikjanan is the common ancestor of struck.
When these two words are combined, dumbstruck is formed, meaning rendered speechless or unable to speak due to shock or astonishment.