consternation
pronunciation
How to pronounce consternation in British English:
UK [ˌkɒnstəˈneɪʃn]
How to pronounce consternation in American English:
US [ˌkɑnstərˈneɪʃn]
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- Noun:
- fear resulting from the awareness of danger
Word Origin
- consternation
- consternation: see strata
- consternation (n.)
- 1610s, from French consternation "dismay, confusion," from Latin consternationem (nominative consternatio) "confusion, dismay," from consternat-, past participle stem of consternare "overcome, confuse, dismay, perplex, terrify, alarm," probably related to consternere "throw down, prostrate," from com-, intensive prefix (see com-), + sternere "to spread out" (see stratum).
Example
- 1. China 's commercial encroachment on the terrain of traditional aid providers has caused consternation among western policymakers .
- 2. It will undoubtedly cause puzzlement and consternation among those who yearn for the false certainties of an earlier era .
- 3. The idea that american ports and california 's oil might come under foreign control causes consternation in congress .
- 4. As the ball hurtles through the air , the varying air flow around it can send it on unexpected paths , to the consternation of many soccer players .
- 5. The instant irene adler 's scarlet-tipped fingers extended across the frame on sunday night it seemed certain that steven moffat 's rewriting of sherlock holmes 's famed female adversary would cause some consternation .