Definitions for: Wonder


[n] a state in which you want to learn more about something
[n] something that causes feelings of wonder; "the wonders of modern science"
[n] the feeling aroused by something strange and surprising
[v] have a wish or desire to know something; "He wondered who had built this beautiful church"
[v] place in doubt or express doubtful speculation; "I wonder whether this was the right thing to do"; "she wondered whether it would snow tonight"
[v] be amazed at; "We marvelled at the child's linguistic abilities"



Webster (1913) Definition: 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.

Note: 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.


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.


Won"der, a.
Wonderful. [Obs.] --Gower.

After that he said a wonder thing. --Chaucer.


Won"der, adv.
Wonderfully. [Obs.] --Chaucer.

Synonyms: admiration, curiosity, enquire, inquire, marvel, marvel, question, wonderment

See Also: amazement, astonishment, awe, chew over, cognitive state, contemplate, curiousness, desire to know, excogotate, happening, inquisitiveness, interest, involvement, lust for learning, meditate, mull, mull over, muse, natural event, occurrence, ponder, query, question, react, reflect, request, respond, ruminate, scruple, speculate, state of mind, think over, thirst for knowledge

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