Frightened or startled, especially by something mysterious or unexpected. Often describes a sudden fear reaction that leaves someone jumpy or nervous.
From Dutch 'spook' meaning 'ghost,' which entered English in the 19th century. Originally referred specifically to ghostly apparitions, but broadened to mean any sudden fright or the lingering nervousness afterward.
Spooked captures that specific type of fear where we're not sure if the threat is real or imagined — it's the emotion of uncertainty mixed with dread. Interestingly, once we're spooked, we become hypervigilant, interpreting innocent sounds and movements as potential threats.
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