To surprise someone so much that they are shocked or amazed by something unexpected.
From Old French 'estoner,' derived from Latin 'extonare' meaning 'to strike with thunder' (ex- 'out' + tonare 'to thunder'). The metaphor of being 'thunderstruck' evolved to mean being deeply surprised.
The word's original meaning of being 'thunderstruck' reveals how ancient people understood surprise—like being hit by something so powerful and unexpected you can't do anything but stand there stunned.
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