Category:Aghast

A*gast" or A*ghast", v. t.

Defn: To affright; to terrify. [Obs.] Chaucer. Spenser.

A*ghast", v. t.

Defn: See Agast, v. t. [Obs.]

A*ghast", a & p. p. Etym: [OE. agast, agasted, p. p. of agasten to terrify, fr. AS. pref. a- (cf. Goth. us-, G. er-, orig. meaning out) + g to terrify, torment: cf. Goth. usgaisjan to terrify, primitively to fix, to root to the spot with terror; akin to L. haerere to stick fast, cling. See Gaze, Hesitate.]

Defn: Terrified; struck with amazement; showing signs of terror or horror. Aghast he waked; and, starting from his bed, Cold sweat in clammy drops his limbs o'erspread. Dryden. The commissioners read and stood aghast. Macaulay.