appalled etymology

Etymology

  • Origin: Old French appaler, from Middle Dutch appallen, probably from Frankish appalan ("to make pale").
  • Cognate: German erbleichen ("to turn pale"), English pale.

Meaning and Origin

The word "appalled" originally described the physical reaction of turning pale or becoming frightened. This usage dates back to the early 14th century. The word gradually took on the more general meaning of "dismayed or shocked" by the mid-15th century.

The Frankish root appalan likely referred to the blanching of the face in response to fear or surprise, which is a natural physiological reaction. The word was borrowed into Middle Dutch and Old French, where it underwent some phonetic changes and acquired a more general sense of shock or dismay.

Usage

The word "appalled" is typically used to describe strong feelings of shock, horror, or dismay. It can also be used to express disapproval or disbelief.

Examples

  • I was appalled by the brutality of the attack.
  • The news of the earthquake left everyone appalled.
  • I am appalled by the government's inaction on climate change.

appalled relate terms

  • appall

    Etymology Middle English appallen from Old French apalir from Latin appallere to

  • appalled

    Etymology Origin Old French appaler from Middle Dutch appallen probably from Frankish

  • appalling

    Etymology The word appalling derives from the Old French word appaler which means

  • aghast

    Etymology Middle English agast from Old English āgāstan to frighten Meaning S

  • affright

    Etymology Old French affraier Late Latin exfrigidare meaning to cool or frighten L

  • shock

    Etymology The word shock comes from the Middle English word shok which in turn is de

  • fright

    Etymology of Fright Origin Old English fyrhto nominative singular Meaning Fear t

  • scandalize

  • offend

    Etymology The word offend originated from the Latin word offendere which means to s

  • revolt

    Etymology The word revolt comes from the Latin word revolvere which means to roll b

  • scare

    Etymology The word scare is derived from the Middle English word skaren which means

  • outrage

    Etymology The word outrage comes from the Old French word outrage meaning an act of

  • alarm

    Etymology The word alarm originates from the Italian word all arme which translates