Word of the Day

Sunday October 25, 2009

consternation [kon-ster-NEY-shuhn]

noun

Fear resulting from the awareness of danger; excessive terror, wonder or surprise.

Slanted Door, the landmark Vietnamese restaurant now in the Ferry Building, has rarely offered American wines on its list, sometimes to the consternation of its customers. "At Slanted Door, you need low-alcohol, high acid wines with residual sugar, and they don't come from the New World," said Mark Ellenbogen, the wine director.

Eric Asimov, "Imports for Locavores?", New York Times, Oct 21, 2009
Consternation has rippled Russia's ruling circles recently as rumors spread of possible missile shield installations in neighboring Ukraine. The United States tried to reassure Moscow, saying it hadn't asked Ukraine to host any facilities. Still, the Russian government remains suspicious of the new U.S. military plans.

Megan K. Stack, "Russia balks at sanctions on Iran", Los Angeles Times, Oct 14, 2009
Mr. Billing put down his knife and fork and sat regarding her thoughtfully. Then he pushed back his chair suddenly, and, a picture of consternation and wrath, held up his hand for silence. "W-w-wot is it?" he demanded. "A cat?"

W.W. Jacobs (1863 - 1943) An English author of short stories and novels. Deep Waters, Part 5 (1919)

Origin of the Word

Consternation, approximately 1610, derives from French consternation, from Latin consternationem, from consternare "overcome, confuse, dismay," from com- intensive prefix + sternare "throw down."