Crossword clues for consternation
Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
The Collaborative International Dictionary
Consternation \Con`ster*na"tion\, n. [L. consternatio, fr. consternare to overome, perplex, an accessory form of consternere to throw down, prostrate; con + sternere to spread out, throw down: cf. F. consternation. See Stratum.] Amazement or horror that confounds the faculties, and incapacitates for reflection; terror, combined with amazement; dismay.
The chiefs around,
In silence wrapped, in consternation drowned.
Attend the stern reply.
--Pope.
Syn: Alarm; fright; amazement; astonishment; surprise; panic; perturbation. See Alarm.
Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
1610s, from French consternation "dismay, confusion," from Latin consternationem (nominative consternatio) "confusion, dismay," from consternat-, past participle stem of consternare "overcome, confuse, dismay, perplex, terrify, alarm," probably related to consternere "throw down, prostrate," from com-, intensive prefix (see com-), + sternere "to spread out" (see stratum).
Wiktionary
n. amazement or horror that confounds the faculties, and incapacitates for reflection; terror, combined with amazement; dismay.
WordNet
Usage examples of "consternation".
To her consternation she saw that the apes were pausing in the centre of the clearing.
If Basiliscus had seized the moment of consternation, and boldly advanced to the capital, Carthage must have surrendered, and the kingdom of the Vandals was extinguished.
His brows furrowed in adultlike consternation as he tried to recall an admonishment from his father on the subject of lying.
Darlene space rifle, their consternation upon discovering that the last active battle between the opposing forces came about not because of a Cassiopeian miscalculation, as they had long believed, but simply because one Texican had strayed, was captured and was rescued by a small Texas fleet.
When the horse trailed its driverless carriage into the castle yard there was consternation.
But how can I ever portray the consternation in which I was thrown when, casting a sly glance upon the young friends, I found the three bathed in tears!
Their glances met, touching as palpably as a handclasp, reflecting the same consternation.
When word inevitably got out about Masalur to the Chief Sorcerers of the other hubs, there would be much consternation and concern, but they would still not accept the truth not enough of them, anyway.
The abbot sailed out with a fine stern expression on his face and his guests quite red with consternation behind him, but Iso kept pulling on him and his quiet pleading dragged Alain out of his distraction.
So great is the consternation that has been caused by the sack of Mechlin, the slaughter of thousands of the citizens, and the horrible atrocities upon the women, that no city alone will dare to provoke the vengeance of Alva.
He switched the screen to the minidisc itself, discovered to his consternation that the minidisc was reading devoid of data.
He examined witnesses, made arrests in every quarter, and created a consternation in the camps of the saints greater than any they had ever witnessed before, since Mormondom was born.
The override of the presidential veto of Evans-Tindale has brought consternation to the nets, a result not unexpected among those of us who have walked the nets for the past decade.
Above two thirds of the Roman army were destroyed: and the darkness of the night was esteemed a very favorable circumstance, as it served to conceal the flight of the multitude, and to protect the more orderly retreat of Victor and Richomer, who alone, amidst the general consternation, maintained the advantage of calm courage and regular discipline.
The Treaty of Tilsit, as soon as it was known at Altona, spread consternation amongst the emigrants.