The phrase "look aghast" is pronounced as /lʊk əˈɡæst/. The spelling of "look" is straightforward, but the pronunciation of "agast" can be tricky. It is pronounced with the short "a" sound, as in "cat," followed by a hard "g" sound, and then the "ast" is pronounced with the short "a" sound again. The word "aghast" means to be filled with shock or horror, and the phrase "look aghast" describes the facial expression of someone experiencing such emotions.
The phrase "look aghast" is an idiomatic expression used to describe a strong, intense, and often horrified facial expression exhibited by an individual in response to a shocking or dreadful event or situation. It signifies a deep sense of surprise, disbelief, and alarm. The word "look" refers to the act of directing one's gaze or attention towards something, while "aghast" emphasizes the intensity of the person's emotional state.
When someone "looks aghast," their facial features typically reflect a combination of wide eyes, raised eyebrows, and an open or gasping mouth. This expression conveys a sense of astonishment, fear, and an overwhelming feeling of being taken aback by a troubling or distressing occurrence. The individual's reaction may be immediate, involuntary, and involuntary, often involuntarily transmitted through non-verbal cues such as body language and facial expressions.
For instance, if someone witnesses a gruesome accident or hears devastating news, they might "look aghast" as their initial instinctive reaction. Their facial expression, displaying a mixture of disbelief and terror, indicates the profound impact the event has had on them. This visceral emotional response is a visceral manifestation of their shock and disbelief.
Overall, to "look aghast" is to display a highly startled and profoundly distressed facial expression in response to a deeply shocking or horrifying event or information.
The phrase "look aghast" consists of two distinct words: "look" and "aghast".
The word "look" originated from Middle English "loken" or "lôken", which was derived from Old English "lōcian". It originally meant "to observe" or "to glance". Over time, it evolved to refer to directing one's gaze or attention toward something.
The word "aghast" originated from two separate elements. The first part, "a-", is a prefix that signifies "on" or "in". The second part, "ghast", can be traced back to Old English "gæstan", which means "to terrify" or "to frighten". Thus, "aghast" implies being in a state of extreme fear or horror.