astonish

Where does the word "astonish" come from? It comes from Latin tonare, passing through Old French before entering English (1500s).

Astonish’s story begins in Latin: tonare meant “to thunder.” The same thunder root gives 'stun' and 'astound'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as estoner. Carried into French for being stunned or dazed. It reached English by 1500s as astonish. Settled as the English word for causing great surprise or wonder. Today, astonish means to surprise or impress someone greatly.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient tonare "to thunder", the same thunder root gives 'stun' and 'astound'.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval estoner "to stun, to daze", carried into French for being stunned or dazed.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1500s astonish "to cause someone great surprise or wonder", settled as the English word for causing great surprise or wonder.