wondrous

From Middle English wondrous, metathetic variation of Middle English wonders (“wondrous, wonderful”, adjective), from Old English wundres (“of wonder”), genitive singular of wundor (“wonder, miracle”), from Proto-Germanic *wundrą (“wonder”). Compare Dutch wonders, German Wunder.

wondrous (comparative more wondrous, superlative most wondrous)

1. Wonderful; amazing, inspiring awe; marvelous.

   We all stared open-mouthed at the wondrous sight.

   • c. 1610-11, William Shakespeare, The Tempest, Act II scene ii:

     I'll show thee the best springs; I'll pluck thee berries;

     I'll fish for thee, and get thee wood enough.

     A plague upon the tyrant that I serve!

     I'll bear him no more sticks, but follow thee,

     Thou wondrous man.

• wondrously

• See Thesaurus:awesome

wondrous (comparative more wondrous, superlative most wondrous)

1. In a wonderful degree; remarkably; wondrously.

   • (Can we date this quote?) Edmund Spenser

     And looking up he waxed wondrous woe.

   • c. 1596-97, William Shakespeare, The Merchant of Venice, Act II scene viii:

     […] And even there, his eye being big with tears,

     Turning his face, he put his hand behind him,

     And with affection wondrous sensible

     He [Antonio] wrung Bassanio's hand; and so they parted.

   • XIX century, Emily Dickinson, As by the dead we love to sit:

     As by the dead we love to sit, / Become so wondrous dear — / As for the lost we grapple / Tho' all the rest are here […]