[f. as prec. + -NESS.] The state or quality of being amazed; literally, loss of one’s wits or of self-possession from any cause.
† 1. The state of being out of one’s wits; infatuation, stupefaction. Obs.
1576. T. Newton, trans. Lemnie’s Touchst. Complex. (1633), 112. Of it springeth madnesse, losse of right wits, amazednesse, raving dotage.
1581. Gosson, Playes Confut. (1869), 202. Glutte … with the clubbe of amasednesse strikes such a pegge into the heade of Life, that he falles downe for dead vpon the Stage.
† 2. Loss of presence of mind, bewilderment, confusion. Obs.
1611. Speed, Hist. Gt. Brit., IX. iv. (1632), 475. Through amazednesse not knowing how to shift.
1624. Capt. Smith, Virginia, V. 174. Extreme ioy, euen almost to amazednesse.
1751. Chambers, Cycl., s.v. Amble, Checking him in the cheeks when in a gallop; and thus putting him into an amazedness, between gallop and trot.
† 3. Loss of self-possession through fear; consternation, panic. Obs.
1557. Barclay, Jugurtha (Paynell), 63 b. Thinhabitantes expelled their amasednes remembryng themselfe.
1587. Fleming, Contn. Holinshed, III. 311/1. A sudden earthquake … caused such an amazednesse among the people as was woonderfull for the time.
1598. Shaks., Merry W., IV. iv. 55. Vpon their sight We two, in great amazednesse will flye.
1641. Prynne, Antipathie, 15. By reason of his trembling and fearful amazednesse.
4. Overwhelming astonishment.
1607. Hieron, Wks., I. 349. We may well with a kind of astonishment and amazednesse admire it.
1863. Kinglake, Crimea (1877), II. xxiii. 357. Before their amazedness ceased, they found themselves—marshalled and governed.
