The expression "looks aghast" is commonly used to describe a shocked or horrified facial expression. The pronunciation of the word "aghast" is /əˈɡæst/, with the stress on the second syllable. The spelling of the word might seem confusing since the "gh" is silent, but it actually comes from Old English and was at one point pronounced as a guttural "h". Over time, the pronunciation of the "gh" has disappeared but the spelling remained the same.
"Looks aghast" is a phrase used to describe a facial expression or body language indicative of extreme shock, horror, or disbelief. It refers to the reaction of a person who appears completely surprised, appalled, or taken aback by something they have just witnessed or heard. The word "aghast" itself means to be filled with overwhelming horror, consternation, or shock.
When someone looks aghast, their facial features may typically exhibit widened eyes, raised eyebrows, and an open mouth as they react to a disturbing or unexpected event or revelation. They might also display a frozen or stunned expression, as if momentarily paralyzed by the shocking nature of the situation. Additionally, their body posture may reflect tension or rigidity, with their stance becoming tense or rigid.
The phrase often implies not only a strong emotional response but also a sudden and involuntary physical reaction to a distressing or alarming circumstance. It suggests a genuine astonishment that leaves the individual temporarily speechless or unable to react immediately.
Overall, "looks aghast" captures the intense visual representation of a person's profound shock, disbelief, or horror in response to a surprising or alarming event. It conveys the impression of a dramatically affected individual who is momentarily stunned and overwhelmed by the gravity of the situation or information presented to them.
The expression "looks aghast" is not a single word; it is a combination of two words: "looks" and "aghast".
The word "looks" is derived from the Old English word "lōcian", meaning "to see, behold, or observe". It subsequently evolved into Middle English as "loken" and ultimately transformed into its current form, "looks", in Modern English.
The word "aghast" has a distinct etymology, derived from the Old English word "gāst", meaning "spirit" or "ghost". Over time, "aghast" came to convey a feeling of fear, shock, or astonishment. It is believed that "aghast" is a combination of the prefix "a-" (indicating intense reaction) and "ghast", stemming from "gāst".