stun
[ stuhn ]
/ stʌn /
verb (used with object), stunned, stun·ning.
to deprive of consciousness or strength by or as if by a blow, fall, etc.: The blow to his jaw stunned him for a moment.
to astonish; astound; amaze: Her wit stunned the audience.
to shock; overwhelm: The world was stunned by the attempted assassination.
to daze or bewilder by noise.
noun
the act of stunning.
the condition of being stunned.
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Origin of stun
1250–1300; Middle English stonen, stunen (v.) < Old French estoner to shake, make resound; see astonish
Related formsun·stunned, adjective
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Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for stun
British Dictionary definitions for stun
stun
/ (stʌn) /
verb stuns, stunning or stunned (tr)
to render unconscious, as by a heavy blow or fall
to shock or overwhelm
to surprise or astound
noun
the state or effect of being stunned
Word Origin for stun
C13 stunen, from Old French estoner to daze, stupefy, from Vulgar Latin extonāre (unattested), from Latin ex- 1 + tonāre to thunder
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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Word Origin and History for stun
stun
c.1300, "to daze or render unconscious" (from a blow, powerful emotion, etc.), probably a shortening of Old French estoner "to stun" (see astonish). Stunning popularized for "splendid, excellent" c.1849.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper