wonder

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   something that causes feelings of wonder

   the wonders of modern science

2. 2
   verb

   have a wish or desire to know something

   They wondered who had built the beautiful house.

3. 3
   verb

   place in doubt or express doubtful speculation

   I wonder whether this was the right thing to do

4. 4
   noun

   A sense of awe, astonishment and curiosity, inspired by unexpected events, novel experiences and inexplicable circumstances, sometimes accompanied by surprise, shock or reverence.

   And they knew that it was hee which ſate for almes at the beautifull gate of the Temple: and they were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened vnto him.

5. 5
   noun

   Something that causes amazement or awe; a marvel.

   Wonders of the World seem to come in sevens.

6. 6
   noun

   A mental pondering, a thought.

   Miss Paynter had a little wonder as to whether the man, as she called Mr. Lacy in her own mind, had ever been admitted to this room. She thought not.

7. 7
   verb

   To be affected with surprise or admiration; to be struck with astonishment; to be amazed; to marvel; often followed by at.

   He's married by now, I shouldn't wonder.

8. 8
   verb

   To ponder; to feel doubt and curiosity; to query in the mind.

   He wondered whether penguins could fly. She had wondered this herself sometimes.

Etymology

From Middle English wonder, wunder, from Old English wundor (“wonder, miracle, marvel”), from Proto-West Germanic *wundr, from Proto-Germanic *wundrą. Cognate with Scots wunner (“wonder”), West Frisian wonder, wûnder (“wonder, miracle”), Dutch wonder (“miracle, wonder”), Low German wunner, wunder (“wonder”), German Wunder (“miracle, wonder”), Danish, Norwegian and Swedish under (“wonder, miracle”), Icelandic undur (“wonder”). The verb is from Middle English wondren, from Old English wundrian, which is from Proto-Germanic *wundrōną. Cognate with Saterland Frisian wunnerje, West Frisian wûnderje…