wonder

Noun · Verb
Synonyms: wondermentadmirationmarvelcuriosityinquireenquirequestion

WordNet 3.0

Noun (3)

  1. the feeling aroused by something strange and surprisingSynonyms: wondermentadmiration
  2. something that causes feelings of wonder“the wonders of modern science”Synonyms: marvel
  3. a state in which you want to learn more about somethingSynonyms: curiosity

Verb (3)

  1. have a wish or desire to know something“He wondered who had built this beautiful church”Synonyms: inquireenquire
  2. place in doubt or express doubtful speculation“I wonder whether this was the right thing to do”“she wondered whether it would snow tonight”Synonyms: question
  3. be amazed at“We marvelled at the child's linguistic abilities”Synonyms: marvel
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Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

Wonder \Won"der\, n. [OE. wonder, wunder, AS. wundor; akin to D. wonder, OS. wundar, OHG. wuntar, G. wunder, Icel. undr, Sw. & Dan. under, and perhaps to Gr. ? to gaze at.] [1913 Webster]

1.That emotion which is excited by novelty, or the presentation to the sight or mind of something new, unusual, strange, great, extraordinary, or not well understood; surprise; astonishment; admiration; amazement. [1913 Webster]

They were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened unto him.— Acts iii. 10.[1913 Webster]
Wonder is the effect of novelty upon ignorance.— Johnson.[1913 Webster]

Note: Wonder expresses less than astonishment, and much less than amazement. It differs from admiration, as now used, in not being necessarily accompanied with love, esteem, or approbation. [1913 Webster]

2.A cause of wonder; that which excites surprise; a strange thing; a prodigy; a miracle. " Babylon, the wonder of all tongues." --Milton. [1913 Webster]

To try things oft, and never to give over, doth wonders.— Bacon.[1913 Webster]
I am as a wonder unto many.— Ps. lxxi. 7.[1913 Webster]

Seven wonders of the world. See in the Dictionary of Noted Names in Fiction. [1913 Webster]

Wonder \Won"der\, a. Wonderful. [Obs.] --Gower. [1913 Webster]

After that he said a wonder thing. --Chaucer. [1913 Webster]

Wonder \Won"der\, adv. Wonderfully. [Obs.] --Chaucer. [1913 Webster]
Wonder \Won"der\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Wondered; p. pr. & vb. n. Wondering.] [AS. wundrian.] [1913 Webster]

1.To be affected with surprise or admiration; to be struck with astonishment; to be amazed; to marvel. [1913 Webster]

I could not sufficiently wonder at the intrepidity of these diminutive mortals.— Swift.[1913 Webster]
We cease to wonder at what we understand.— Johnson.[1913 Webster]

2.To feel doubt and curiosity; to wait with uncertain expectation; to query in the mind; as, he wondered why they came. [1913 Webster]

I wonder, in my soul, What you would ask me, that I should deny.— Shak.[1913 Webster]
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