stun
stun
UK[stʌn]US[stʌn]
v
to make someone unconscious or confused for a short time, especially by hitting them on the head
v
to surprise or shock someone so much that they cannot think or speak normally
Etymology
the word 'stun' originates from the concept of being struck by thunder. its journey begins with the latin verb 'tonare', meaning 'to thunder'. combined with the intensive prefix 'ex-', it formed the vulgar latin 'extonare', conveying the sense of being 'thunderstruck' or utterly bewildered. this term passed into old french as 'estoner', carrying the meaning of overwhelming astonishment. when adopted into middle english as 'stonen' or 'stunen', the sense of physical dazing from a blow was added to the existing meaning of mental shock, solidifying the modern dual meaning of rendering someone either physically senseless or speechless with surprise.
Analysis
the word is a simplex form. it is derived from the old french verb 'estoner', meaning 'to astonish, stun'. the old french term itself came from the vulgar latin 'extonare', a compound of the latin intensive prefix 'ex-' and 'tonare', meaning 'to thunder'.
Examples
the blow to his head was enough to stun him for several minutes.
the audience was stunned into silence by the powerful finale.
the sudden news of his resignation stunned his colleagues.