The spelling of "is astonished" follows the typical English spelling rules, but the pronunciation can be a little tricky. The first syllable, "is," is pronounced like the word "iz." The second syllable, "as," is pronounced like the word "ahs." The final syllable, "tonished," is pronounced like the word "tahnished," with the stress on the second syllable. The IPA phonetic transcription for this word is /ɪz əˈstɑːnɪʃt/. So, the next time you're using the phrase "is astonished," remember to place the stress on the second syllable and use the correct pronunciation!
The term "is astonished" is a verb phrase indicating a strong feeling of surprise, amazement, or awe in response to an unexpected event, occurrence, or revelation. It describes the state of being taken aback or utterly astounded by something that surpasses one's expectations or understanding. When someone "is astonished," they are temporarily rendered speechless or left in a state of disbelief due to the sheer magnitude or incredibility of what they have just experienced or witnessed.
This phrase represents a profound emotional reaction, often accompanied by widened eyes, dropped jaws, or a loss for words. The feeling of astonishment is typically triggered by an extraordinary or unprecedented event, such as an astonishing accomplishment, an unforeseen outcome, or a remarkable revelation that defies previous knowledge or assumptions.
Furthermore, being astonished implies that the individual is genuinely surprised or shocked, as opposed to feigning or exaggerating their reaction. The term conveys a sense of the person's inability to comprehend or fully grasp what they have encountered, highlighting the novelty or extraordinary nature of the situation.
Overall, "is astonished" reflects an intense emotional state in which an individual is deeply impressed, overwhelmed, or amazed, often leading to a momentary suspension of rational thought or a need to recalibrate one's understanding of the world.
The word "astonished" is derived from Latin "astonare", which means "to stun" or "to strike with thunder". It is a combination of the prefix "ad-" (meaning "to" or "towards") and "tonare" (meaning "to thunder" or "to make noise"). Over time, this Latin word transformed into Old French "estoner", which eventually developed into the English word "astonish" in the 14th century. The prefix "is-" does not have a specific etymology in this context; it is simply the present form of the verb "to be" used in combination with "astonished" to indicate the state of being astonished.