To shock or dismay someone greatly; to cause someone to feel horror or disapproval.
From Old French 'apalir' meaning 'to make pale,' from 'a-' (to) + 'palir' (to become pale). The sense shifted from physical paleness to emotional shock or dismay, as if one's face becomes pale from horror.
The word literally means 'to make pale' because when people are shocked or horrified, the blood drains from their face—so the word captures that physical reaction to emotional distress.
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