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.]

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.

They were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened unto him. Acts iii. 10.

Wonder is the effect of novelty upon ignorance. Johnson.

⇒ 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.

2.

A cause of wonder; that which excites surprise; a strange thing; a prodigy; a miracle.

Milton.

To try things oft, and never to give over, doth wonders. Bacon.

I am as a wonder unto many. Ps. lxxi. 7.

Seven wonders of the world. See in the Dictionary of Noted Names in Fiction.

© Webster 1913.

Won"der, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Wondered (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Wondering.] [AS. wundrian.]

1.

To be affected with surprise or admiration; to be struck with astonishment; to be amazed; to marvel.

I could not sufficiently wonder at the intrepidity of these diminutive mortals. Swift.

We cease to wonder at what we understand. Johnson.

2.

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

I wonder, in my soul, What you would ask me, that I should deny. Shak.

© Webster 1913.

Won"der, a.

Wonderful.

Gower.

After that he said a wonder thing. Chaucer.

© Webster 1913.

Won"der, adv.

Wonderfully.

Chaucer.

© Webster 1913.

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• Seven wonders of the world