flabbergast

== English == === Etymology === The origin of the verb is uncertain; possibly dialectal (Suffolk), from flabby or flap (“to strike”) + aghast. The word may be related to Scottish flabrigast (“to boast”) or flabrigastit (“worn out with exertion”). The noun is derived from the verb. === Pronunciation === (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /ˈflæbə(ˌ)ɡɑːst/ (General American) enPR: flăb′ər-găst', IPA(key): /ˈflæbɚˌɡæst/ Hyphenation: flab‧ber‧gast === Verb === flabbergast (third-person singular simple present flabbergasts, present participle flabbergasting, simple past flabbergasted, past participle flabbergasted or flabbergast) (transitive) To overwhelm with bewilderment; to amaze, confound, or stun, especially in a ludicrous manner. [from late 18th c.] Synonyms: flabbergaster; see also Thesaurus:surprise ==== Alternative forms ==== ==== Derived terms ==== ==== Translations ==== === Noun === flabbergast (countable and uncountable, plural flabbergasts) (countable) An awkward person. Synonyms: dork, dweeb, geek; see also Thesaurus:dork (uncountable) Overwhelming confusion, shock, or surprise. Synonyms: astonishment, astoundedness, awe, dumbfoundedness, flabbergaster, flabbergastation, flabbergastment, stupefaction; see also Thesaurus:confusion, Thesaurus:surprise ==== Alternative forms ==== ==== Translations ==== === References === === Further reading === John Ogilvie and Charles Annandale, editors (1883), The Imperial Dictionary of the English Language, new edition, London: Blackie and Son; New York, N.Y.: The Century Company, →OCLC, page 285. Joseph Wright, editor (1900), “FLABBERGAST, v.”, in The English Dialect Dictionary: […], volume II (D–G), London: Henry Frowde, […], publisher to the English Dialect Society, […]; New York, N.Y.: G[eorge] P[almer] Putnam’s Sons, →OCLC, page 376, column 1. Chrysti the Wordsmith [pseudonym; Chrysti M. Smith] (2006), Verbivore’s Feast: Second Course: More Word & Phrase Origins, Helena, Mont.: Farcountry Press, →ISBN, page 126.