\As*ton"ish\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Astonished}; p. pr.
& vb. n. {Astonishing}.] [OE. astonien, astunian, astonen,
OF. estoner, F. ['e]tonner, fr. L. ex out + tonare to
thunder, but perhaps influenced by E. stun. See {Thunder},
{Astound}, {Astony}.]
1. To stun; to render senseless, as by a blow. [Obs.]
         Enough, captain; you have astonished him. [Fluellen
         had struck Pistol].                   --Shak.
         The very cramp-fish [i. e., torpedo] . . . being
         herself not benumbed, is able to astonish others.
                                               --Holland.
2. To strike with sudden fear, terror, or wonder; to amaze;
   to surprise greatly, as with something unaccountable; to
   confound with some sudden emotion or passion.
         Musidorus . . . had his wits astonished with sorrow.
                                               --Sidney.
         I, Daniel . . . was astonished at the vision. --Dan.
                                               viii. 27.
Syn: To amaze; astound; overwhelm; surprise.
Usage: {Astonished}, {Surprised}. We are surprised at what is
       unexpected. We are astonished at what is above or
       beyond our comprehension. We are taken by surprise. We
       are struck with astonishment. --C. J. Smith. See
       {Amaze}.