consternation

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English

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Etymology

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From French consternation, from Latin consternātiō.

Pronunciation

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Noun

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consternation (countable and uncountable, plural consternations)

  1. Amazement or horror that confounds the faculties, and incapacitates for reflection; terror, combined with amazement; dismay.
    • 1899, Kate Chopin, The Awakening:
      "Out!" exclaimed her husband, with something like genuine consternation in his voice.
    • 2003, Terrance Dicks, Barry Letts, chapter 17, in Deadly Reunion:
      Their audience had been listening in increasing consternation.
    • February 27, 2006, Chuck Klosterman, “Invention's New Mother”, in Esquire[1]:
      It was probably worth four millennia of consternation and regret.
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Translations

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French

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Etymology

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Borrowed from Latin cōnsternātiōnem. Morphologically, from consterner +‎ -ation.

Pronunciation

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Noun

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consternation f (plural consternations)

  1. consternation
    • 1957, Thomas Baudouin, Iñés, Nouvelles Éditions Latines, page 4:
      Un soir pluvieux, Corinne laissa entendre qu’elle était amoureuse. J’allais m’en montrer consterné mais je craignis que ma consternation ne prêtât à confusion et ne fût mal interprétée : il ne fallait pas qu’elle m’imaginât épris d’elle.
      One rainy day, Corinne hinted that she was in love. I was about to show dismay about it, but I feared that my dismay would lead to confusion and be misinterpreted. She should not imagine me in love with her.

Descendants

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  • English: consternation

Further reading

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