DUMFOUNDED Meaning and
Definition
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Dumfounded, also spelled as dumbfounded, is an adjective that describes the state of being astonished, amazed, or rendered speechless due to disbelief or intense surprise. It is an emotion experienced when one is completely shocked or bewildered by something unexpected or remarkable.
The term originates from the combination of two words, "dumb" and "found." "Dumb" in this context means unable to speak or rendered speechless, while "found" indicates a state of being. Thus, dumfounded can be understood as a condition where someone is figuratively struck dumb or left speechless after encountering a shocking or perplexing situation, event, or information.
When someone is dumfounded, it typically implies an overwhelming level of astonishment or disbelief, often resulting in a temporary loss of words or even physical reaction. The person might exhibit a blank expression, widened eyes, or a dropped jaw as visual indications of their incredulity.
In colloquial usage, dumfounded can also convey a sense of being flabbergasted, astounded, or taken aback. It suggests that the individual's cognitive or emotional comprehension has been temporarily overwhelmed, prompting a pause in their usual thought processes while they attempt to process or make sense of the surprising or astonishing event or information.
Overall, dumfounded points to a state of being utterly amazed, astonished, or rendered speechless due to an unexpected and remarkable experience, often tinged with a sense of incredulity or disbelief.
Common Misspellings for DUMFOUNDED
- sumfounded
- xumfounded
- cumfounded
- fumfounded
- rumfounded
- eumfounded
- dymfounded
- dhmfounded
- djmfounded
- dimfounded
- d8mfounded
- d7mfounded
- dunfounded
- dukfounded
- dujfounded
- dumdounded
- dumcounded
- dumvounded
- dumgounded
Etymology of DUMFOUNDED
The word "dumfounded" is derived from two separate words: "dumb" and "found".
The term "dumb" in this context refers to being speechless or unable to speak due to astonishment or bewilderment. It comes from the Middle English word "domb", which means mute or speechless.
The word "found" here is used in the original sense of "to strike" or "to hit". It is derived from the Old English word "fundian", which means "to strike" or "to move violently".
When combined, "dumb" and "found" form "dumfound", which means to strike dumb or leave someone astounded or speechless due to surprise or astonishment.
Over time, the spelling of "dumfound" has shifted to "dumbfound" to reflect the pronunciation more accurately.
Similar spelling words for DUMFOUNDED
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