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consternate

[kon-ster-neyt] /ˈkɒn stərˌneɪt/
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verb (used with object), consternated, consternating.
1.
to dismay, confuse, or terrify.
Origin of consternate
Latin
1645-1655
1645-55; < Latin consternātus, past participle of consternāre to unsettle, throw into confusion, perhaps intensive derivative of consternere to cover, spread (with) (con- con- + sternere to strew; cf. stratum), though sense development uncertain
Related forms
unconsternated, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2017.
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Examples from the Web for consternate
Historical Examples

  • If we were to disarm, as these ladies advise, war would come upon us with consternate suddenness.

    Defenseless America Hudson Maxim
British Dictionary definitions for consternate

consternate

/ˈkɒnstəˌneɪt/
verb
1.
(transitive; usually passive) to fill with anxiety, dismay, dread, or confusion
Word Origin
C17: from Latin consternāre, from sternere to lay low, spread out
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Word Origin and History for consternate
v.

1650s, from Latin consternatus, past participle of consternare (see consternation).

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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