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wonder
won·der / ˈwəndər/ • n. a feeling of surprise mingled with admiration, caused by something beautiful, unexpected, unfamiliar, or inexplicable: he had stood in front of it, observing the intricacy of the ironwork with the wonder of a child. ∎ the quality of a person or thing that causes such a feeling: Athens was a place of wonder and beauty. ∎ a strange or remarkable person, thing, or event: the electric trolley car was looked upon as the wonder of the age. ∎ [as adj.] having remarkable properties or abilities: a wonder drug. ∎ [in sing.] a surprising event or situation: it is a wonder that losses are not much greater. • v. [intr.] 1. desire or be curious to know something: how many times have I written that, I wonder? | I can't help wondering how Stasia and Katie are feeling. ∎ used to express a polite question or request: I wonder whether you have thought more about it? ∎ feel doubt: I wonder about such a marriage. 2. feel admiration and amazement; marvel: people stood by and wondered at such bravery | [as adj.] (wondering) a wondering look on her face. ∎ be surprised: if I feel compassion for her, it is not to be wondered at. PHRASES: I shouldn't wonder inf., chiefly Brit. I think it likely.no (or little or small) wonder it is not surprising: it is little wonder that the fax machine is so popular. ninety-day (or thirty-day or one-day) wonder something that attracts enthusiastic interest for a short while but is then ignored or forgotten. ∎ (usu. ninety-day (or thirty-day) wonder) a person who has had intensive military training for the specified time. wonders will never cease an exclamation of great surprise at something pleasing.work (or do) wonders have a very beneficial effect on someone or something: a good night's sleep can work wonders for mind and body.DERIVATIVES: won·der·er n.won·der·ing·ly adv. |
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Cite this article
"wonder." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. 13 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "wonder." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. (February 13, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-wonder005.html "wonder." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Retrieved February 13, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-wonder005.html |
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wonder
wonder astonishing or marvellous thing OE.; perplexed astonishment XIII. OE. wundor = OS. wundar (Du. wonder), OHG. wuntar (G. wunder), ON. undr; of unkn. orig.
So wonder vb. OE. wundrian = OS. wundron, etc. |
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Cite this article
T. F. HOAD. "wonder." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 13 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. T. F. HOAD. "wonder." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. (February 13, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-wonder.html T. F. HOAD. "wonder." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Retrieved February 13, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-wonder.html |
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wonder
wonder eighth wonder of the world a particularly impressive person or thing, regarded as an addition to the Seven Wonders of the World.
See also nine days' wonder, wonders. |
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Cite this article
ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "wonder." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. 13 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "wonder." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. (February 13, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O214-wonder.html ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "wonder." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Retrieved February 13, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O214-wonder.html |
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wonder
wonder n. (usually ninety-day or thirty-day wonder) a person who has had intensive military training for the specified time.
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Cite this article
"wonder." The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military. 2001. Encyclopedia.com. 13 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "wonder." The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military. 2001. Encyclopedia.com. (February 13, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O63-wonder.html "wonder." The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military. 2001. Retrieved February 13, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O63-wonder.html |
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wonder
wonder
•Barbuda, barracuda, Bermuda, brooder, Buxtehude, colluder, deluder, excluder, intruder, Judah, Luda, Neruda, obtruder, Tudor
•mouthbrooder
•Buddha, do-gooder
•Kaunda, Munda
•judder, rudder, shudder, udder
•numdah
•asunder, blunder, chunder, hereunder, plunder, rotunda, sunder, thereunder, thunder, under, up-and-under, wonder
•husbander • seconder • Shetlander
•mainlander • Greenlander
•Queenslander • midlander
•Little Englander
•Highlander, islander
•Icelander • Hollander • lowlander
•Newfoundlander • woodlander
•colander • Canada • Kannada
•ambassador • forwarder
•birder, Gerda, girder, herder, murder
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Cite this article
"wonder." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. 13 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "wonder." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. (February 13, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-wonder.html "wonder." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Retrieved February 13, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-wonder.html |
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