| astomatous | Without a mouth. Synonym: astomous. (05 Mar 2000) |
|---|---|
| astomia | Congenital absence of a mouth. Origin: G. A-priv. + stoma, mouth (05 Mar 2000) |
| astomous | Without a mouth. Synonym: astomous. (05 Mar 2000) |
| Aston, Francis William | <person, radiobiology> Physicist at Cambridge University who invented the mass spectrometer in 1919, a device which could measure the mass of individual atoms. This device led to his discovery that the helium nucleus was less massive than the two hydrogen nuclei which could have formed it (implying that the missing mass could somehow be converted into energy through the process of nuclear fusion). (09 Oct 1997) |
| astonish | 1. To stun; to render senseless, as by a blow. "Enough, captain; you have astonished him. [Fluellen had struck Pistol]" (Shak) "The very cramp-fish [i. E, torpedo] . . . Being herself not benumbed, is able to astonish others." (Holland) 2. To strike with sudden fear, terror, or wonder; to amaze; to surprise greatly, as with something unaccountable; to confound with some sudden emotion or passion. "Musidorus . . . Had his wits astonished with sorrow." (Sidney) "I, Daniel . . . Was astonished at the vision." (Dan. Viii. 27) Synonym: To amaze, astound, overwhelm, surprise. Astonished, Surprised. We are at what is unexpected. We are astonished at what is above or beyond our comprehension. We are taken by surprise. We are struck with astonishment. See Amaze. Origin: OE. Astonien, astunian, astonen, OF. Estoner, F. Etonner, fr. L. Ex out + tonare to thunder, but perhaps influenced by E. Stun. See Thunder, Astound, Astony. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |