different between flabbergast vs electrify

English

Etymology

The origin of the verb is uncertain; possibly dialectal (Suffolk), from flabby or flap (“to strike”) + aghast. The word may be related to Scottish flabrigast (“to boast”) or flabrigastit (“worn out with exertion”).

The noun is derived from the verb.

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /?flæb?(?)???st/
• (General American) enPR: fl?b??r-g?st', IPA^(key): /?flæb???æst/
• Hyphenation: flab?ber?gast

Verb

flabbergast (third-person singular simple present flabbergasts, present participle flabbergasting, simple past flabbergasted, past participle flabbergasted or flabbergast)

1. (transitive) To overwhelm with bewilderment; to amaze, confound, or stun, especially in a ludicrous manner. [from late 18th c.]

   Synonyms: flabbergaster; see also Thesaurus:surprise

Alternative forms

Derived terms

Translations

Noun

flabbergast (countable and uncountable, plural flabbergasts)

1. (countable) An awkward person.

   Synonyms: dork, dweeb, geek; see also Thesaurus:dork

2. (uncountable) Overwhelming confusion, shock, or surprise.

   Synonyms: astonishment, astoundedness, awe, dumbfoundedness, flabbergaster, flabbergastation, flabbergastment, stupefaction; see also Thesaurus:confusion, Thesaurus:surprise

Alternative forms

Translations

References

Further reading

• John Ogilvie and Charles Annandale, editors (1883) The Imperial Dictionary of the English Language, new edition, London: Blackie and Son; New York, N.Y.: The Century Company, OCLC 1013401246, page 285.
• “FLABBERGAST, v.” in Joseph Wright, editor, The English Dialect Dictionary: […], volume II (D–G), London: Published by Henry Frowde, […], publisher to the English Dialect Society, […]; New York, N.Y.: G. P. Putnam’s Sons, 1900, ?OCLC, page 376, column 1.
• Chrysti the Wordsmith [pseudonym; Chrysti M. Smith] (2006) Verbivore’s Feast: Second Course: More Word & Phrase Origins, Helena, Mont.: Farcountry Press, ?ISBN, page 126.

English

Etymology

From electric +? -ify

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /??l?kt??fa?/

Verb

electrify (third-person singular simple present electrifies, present participle electrifying, simple past and past participle electrified)

1. (transitive) To supply electricity to; to charge with electricity.

2. (transitive) To cause electricity to pass through; to affect by electricity; to give an electric shock to.

3. (transitive) To adapt (a home, farm, village, city, industry, railroad) for electric power.
4. (transitive) To strongly excite, especially by something delightful or inspiring; to thrill.

   Her performance in the play electrified the audience.

   • 1848, Thomas Babington Macaulay, The History of England from the Accession of James II Chapter I

     If the sovereign were now to immure a subject in defiance of the writ of habeas corpus […] the whole nation would be instantly electrified by the news.
5. (intransitive) To become electric.

Derived terms

• electrification

Related terms

• electric
• electricity

Translations

Further reading

• electrify in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913.
• electrify in The Century Dictionary, New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911.
• electrify at OneLook Dictionary Search