astonishment UK /əˈstɒnɪʃmənt/US /əˈstɑːnɪʃmənt/ noun5 •The feeling or experience of being astonished; great surprise.The class looked on in astonishment as their teacher proceeded to tear the pages out of the textbook. •Something very surprising.To find Ned Silverton among the habitual frequenters of Mrs. Hatch’s drawing-room was one of Lily’s first astonishments — 1905 •(no longer used) Loss of mental faculties, inability to think or use one's senses.Thou hast shewed thy people hard things: thou hast made us to drink the wine of astonishment. — 1611 •(no longer used) Loss of composure or presence of mind.[…] where of his cruell rage Nigh dead with feare, and faint astonishment, Shee found them both in darkesome corner pent — 1590 •(no longer used) Loss of physical sensation; inability to move a part of the body.[…] there followeth astonishment of the leg that is neere, that it can neither be stretched out right, nor he cannot go on his feet. — 1583 formsastonishments