The word "astonish" is spelled with six letters, but its pronunciation is complex. It is pronounced /əˈstɑnɪʃ/ according to the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). The first syllable is unstressed, with a short schwa sound, followed by the stressed "st" sound. The "O" is pronounced as a short "ah" vowel sound, before a "n" and "I" with a short "ih" sound. Finally, the "sh" sound ends the word. This combination of sounds creates the unique, intriguing pronunciation of this word.
The verb "astonish" refers to the act of greatly surprising or astonishing someone, causing them a state of disbelief or wonder. It is an overwhelming emotion experienced by an individual in response to something unexpected, extraordinary, or beyond their comprehension.
When something or someone astonishes, it typically elicits a strong reaction from the person who is left astonished. This reaction might manifest in the form of shock, bewilderment, or amazement. The feeling of astonishment may temporarily leave the individual speechless, as their mind struggles to assimilate or make sense of the astonishing event or information.
Astonishment can stem from various sources, such as witnessing an incredible feat, encountering an unprecedented situation, or being informed of surprising news. It is a genuine and unanticipated reaction, rendering the person momentarily incapable of producing an immediate response. The intensity of astonishment may vary from mild, where one experiences a temporary pause, to extreme, where a person's mind may be temporarily overwhelmed and unable to process further information.
To astonish is to go beyond merely surprising someone; it encompasses the element of shock and amazement, leaving a lasting, memorable impression on the individual. The ability to astonish can be associated with exceptional talents, extraordinary events, or unexpected outcomes that challenge or surpass one's existing understanding or expectations.
To fill with sudden fear and wonder; to amaze; to confound with surprise.
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 "astonish" is derived from the Old French word "estoner" which means "to stun" or "to leave someone speechless". This word can be further traced back to the Latin word "extonare" which means "to thunder out" or "to strike with lightning". In this sense, the word "astonish" carries the connotation of something so surprising or incredible that it is able to shock or startle someone.