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consternate

[kon-ster-neyt]
verb (used with object), con·ster·nat·ed, con·ster·nat·ing.
  1. to dismay, confuse, or terrify.
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Origin of consternate

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 formsun·con·ster·nat·ed, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words

frightenalarmshockconfuseunnervehorrifydauntscareterrify

Examples from the Web for consternated

Historical Examples

  • They ask for Mademoiselle, are consternated when they learn of her departing.

    The Incomplete Amorist

    E. Nesbit

British Dictionary definitions for consternated

consternate

verb
  1. (tr; usually passive) to fill with anxiety, dismay, dread, or confusion
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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

Word Origin and History for consternated

consternate

v.

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

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper