aghast
6 dictionary results for: aghast
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This
a·ghast 
[uh-gast, uh-gahst] Pronunciation Key
[uh-gast, uh-gahst] Pronunciation Key –adjective
| struck with overwhelming shock or amazement; filled with sudden fright or horror: They stood aghast at the sight of the plane crashing. |
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
| a·ghast
(ə-gāst') Pronunciation Key
adj. Struck by shock, terror, or amazement. [Middle English agast, past participle of agasten, to frighten : a-, intensive pref. (from Old English ā-) + gasten, to frighten (from Old English gǣstan, from gāst, ghost).] |
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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
aghast
aghast
c.1260, agast, "terrified," pp. of M.E. agasten "to frighten," from a- intensive prefix + O.E. gæstan "to terrify," from gæst "spirit, ghost," The -gh- spelling appeared c.1425 in Scottish and is possibly a Flemish influence, or after ghost, etc. It became general after 1700.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
WordNet® 3.0, © 2006 by Princeton University.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
Aghast
A*ghast"\, v. t. See Agast, v. t. [Obs.]
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
Aghast
A*ghast"\, a & p. p. [OE. agast, agasted, p. p. of agasten to terrify, fr. AS. pref. [=a]- (cf. Goth. us-, G. er-, orig. meaning out) + g?stan to terrify, torment: cf. Goth. usgaisjan to terrify, primitively to fix, to root to the spot with terror; akin to L. haerere to stick fast, cling. See Gaze, Hesitate.] Terrified; struck with amazement; showing signs of terror or horror. Aghast he waked; and, starting from his bed, Cold sweat in clammy drops his limbs o'erspread. --Dryden. The commissioners read and stood aghast. --Macaulay.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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