aghast: [13] Aghast was originally the past participle of a verb, agasten ‘frighten’, which in turn was based on the Old English verb gǣstan ‘torment’. The spelling with gh did not finally become established until the 18th century, and in fact aghast was the last in a series of etymologically related words in the general semantic area of ‘fear’ and ‘horror’ to undergo this transformation. It seems to have acquired its gh by association with ghastly, which in turn got it from ghost (probably under the ultimate influence of Flemish gheest).
aghast (adj.)
c. 1300, agast, "terrified," past participle of Middle English agasten "to frighten" (c. 1200), from a- intensive prefix + Old English gæstan "to terrify," from gæst "spirit, ghost" (see ghost). The -gh- spelling appeared early 15c. in Scottish and is possibly a Flemish influence, or after ghost, etc. It became general after 1700.
实用例句
1. Tania stared at him aghast, unable to speak.
塔妮娅吃惊地看着他，说不出话来。
来自柯林斯例句
2. His colleagues were aghast at the sackings.
他的同事们对于这些解雇感到很吃惊。
来自柯林斯例句
3. She watched aghast as his life flowed away.
看着他的生命逐渐消逝，她惊骇万分。
来自柯林斯例句
4. Erica looked at him aghast.
埃丽卡惊恐地望着他。
来自《权威词典》
5. She was aghast at the extent of the damage to her car.