appall

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   To shock and horrify someone deeply.

   The cruelty of the crime appalled the entire community.

Simplified etymology

Appal comes from Old French apalir, which meant both “to grow pale” and “to make pale.” English adopted these senses in the 14th century, and the physical idea of turning pale from shock or disgust led to the modern meaning “horrify.”

From Middle English apallen, from Old French apalir (“to grow pale, make pale”); a (Latin ad) + palir (“to grow pale, to make pale”), pâle (“pale”), from pallere. See pale (adj.) and compare with pall.

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