[f. AMAZE v. + -MENT. (An early instance of this suffix added to a Teutonic vb.)] orig. Loss of one’s wits or of self-possession through any cause whatever.
† 1. The condition of being mentally paralyzed, mental stupefaction, frenzy. Obs.
1606. Shaks., Tr. & Cr., V. iii. 85. Behold, destraction, frenzie, and amazement, Like witlesse Antickes, one another meete.
1671. Milton, P. R., IV. 561. Satan, smitten with amazement, fell.
1746. W. Collins, Ode to Fear, Wks. 1771, 45. The Maids and Matrons, on her awful Voice, Silent and pale, in wild amazement hung.
† 2. Loss of presence of mind; bewilderment, perplexity, distraction (due to doubt as to what to do). Obs.
1595. Shaks., John, V. i. 35. Wilde amazement hurries up & downe The little number of your doubtfull friends.
1641. Baker, Chron. (1679), 333/1. This answer was but to hold her in amazement, while some mischief was practising against her.
1690. J. Norris, Beatitudes (1694), I. 50. A thing that can hardly be thought of without Confusion and Amazement.
1722. De Foe, Plague (1756), 198. This Amazement of the Magistrates proceeded rather from want of being able to apply any Means successfully, than from any Unwillingness.
† 3. Overwhelming fear or apprehension, consternation, alarm. Obs.
1596. Spenser, F. Q., IX. xxiv. (L.). Adding new Feare to his first amazment.
1611. Bible, 1 Pet. iii. 6. Not afraid with any amazement [Wyclif, Rhem. perturbation; Tindale, shadow; Cranmer, Genev. terror].
1641. Milton, Ch. Govt., vii. (1851), 132. To cast amazements and panick terrors into the hearts of weaker Christians.
1756. Burke, Subl. & B., Wks. I. 159. Do not the French étonnement and the English astonishment and amazement point out as clearly the kindred emotions which attend fear and wonder?
4. Overwhelming wonder, whether due to mere surprise or to admiration.
1602. Shaks., Haml., III. ii. 339. Your behauior hath stroke her into amazement, and admiration.
1611. Bible, Acts iii. 10. They were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened vnto him.
1624. Ld. Kensington, in Ellis, Orig. Lett., II. 302, III. 178. But the amasment extraordinary to finde her … the sweetest creature in France.
1693. Bentley, Atheism, 25 (L.). The Miracles of our Lord … were not made out of vain Ostentation of Power, and to raise unprofitable Amazement.
1866. G. Macdonald, Ann. Q. Neighb., xii. (1878), 237. I saw to my amazement … Miss Oldcastle struggling against the wind.
