Obs. Forms: 5. Sc. stunys, stonisch, 5–6 Sc. stonis, -ys, -eis, 6 Sc. stwnys, stunnys; 6 ston(n)ysh(e, 6–7 stonish. [aphetic f. ASTONISH v.] trans. To stun mentally, shock, surprise. = ASTONISH v. 2–4.
c. 1470. Henry, Wallace, VI. 549. The fyrst cownter so gret abaysing maid, That all the ost was stunyst of that sicht.
c. 1475. Rauf Coilȝear, 175. For I am stonischit at this straik, that hes me thus steird.
1513. Douglas, Æneis, XI. i. 44. So that … na delay May stoppin ȝou, nor stunnys ane other day Be ȝour awin sleuth.
1530. Palsgr., 736/2. I stonyshe, jestonne. He stonyshyd me.
1592. Shaks., Ven. & Ad., 825. Whereat amas’d … Or stonisht, as night wandrers often are, Their light blowne out … Euen so confounded in the darke she lay.
1612. T. Taylor, Comm. Titus i. 15. Labour in hearing the word, to finde it … to shake and stonish thy soule.
Hence † Stonished ppl. a., † Stonishing vbl. sb. Also † Stonishment.
c. 1520. M. Nisbet, N. T. in Scots, Acts iii. 10. And thai war fillit with wonndring, and stonysing of mynde [1388 Wyclif stoniynge].
1530. Palsgr., 276/2. Stonnyshyng abashing, estonnissement.
1594. R. C[arew], Tasso, II. xxi. T’was stonishment [It. orig. stupor] … If t’were not loue that stir’d his villaine hart.
1595. Spenser, Amoretti, xvi. The whiles my stonisht hart stood in amaze.
