As-tŏn'ish, v. t.
v. t. [O. Eng. astone, astony, O. Fr. estonner, estoner, Fr. étonner, Lat. attonare, to thunder at, to stun, to terrify, from ad and tonare, to thunder. Cf. A-S. stunian, Eng. stun, Ger. staunen.]
Sense 1. To stun; to render senseless. [Obs.] Thus, in Shakespeare’s “King Henry V.,” Gower says to Fluellen, who has struck Pistol, “Enough, captain; you have astonished him.”
The very cramp-fish [i. e., torpedo] knoweth her own force or power, and, being herself not benumbed, is able to astonish others. Holland.
Sense 2. To strike dumb with sudden fear, terror, surprise, or wonder; to amaze; to confound with some sudden passion. “Musidorus . . . had his wits astonished with sorrow.” Sidney.
Another set of authors . . . blind, astonished, and struck with superstition as with a planet; in one word, monks. Milton.
I, Daniel . . . was astonished at the vision. Dan. viii. 27.
Synonyms—To amaze; astound; overwhelm; surprise.