The word "astonished" means to be extremely surprised or amazed. When someone is astonished, they experience a strong sense of wonder or disbelief about something unexpected that has happened. It implies a reaction that goes beyond mere surprise, often indicating that the person is taken aback by how extraordinary or unusual the situation is.
The word "astonished" comes from the Old French "estoner," which means "to stun" or "to amaze." Its roots can be traced back to the Latin word "attonare," meaning "to thunder at." As the language evolved, "astonished" took on the meaning of being so surprised or amazed that one feels almost struck or stunned.