Won"der (?), n. [OE. wonder, wunder, AS. wundor; akin to D. wonder, OS. wundar, OHG. wuntar, G. wunder, Icel. undr, Sw. & Dan. under, and perhaps to Gr. to gaze at.]
1.
That emotion which is excited by novelty, or the presentation to the sight or mind of something new, unusual, strange, great, extraordinary, or not well understood; surprise; astonishment; admiration; amazement.
They were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened unto him.
Acts iii. 10.
Wonder is the effect of novelty upon ignorance.
Johnson.
⇒ Wonder expresses less than astonishment, and much less than amazement. It differs from admiration, as now used, in not being necessarily accompanied with love, esteem, or approbation.
2.
A cause of wonder; that which excites surprise; a strange thing; a prodigy; a miracle.
" Babylon, the
wonder of all tongues."
Milton.
To try things oft, and never to give over, doth wonders.
Bacon.
I am as a wonder unto many.
Ps. lxxi. 7.
Seven wonders of the world. See in the Dictionary of Noted Names in Fiction.
© Webster 1913.
Won"der, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Wondered (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Wondering.] [AS. wundrian.]
1.
To be affected with surprise or admiration; to be struck with astonishment; to be amazed; to marvel.
I could not sufficiently wonder at the intrepidity of these diminutive mortals.
Swift.
We cease to wonder at what we understand.
Johnson.
2.
To feel doubt and curiosity; to wait with uncertain expectation; to query in the mind; as, he wondered why they came.
I wonder, in my soul,
What you would ask me, that I should deny.
Shak.
© Webster 1913.
Won"der, a.
Wonderful.
[Obs.]
Gower.
After that he said a wonder thing.
Chaucer.
© Webster 1913.
Won"der, adv.
Wonderfully.
[Obs.]
Chaucer.
© Webster 1913.