A*gast" or A*ghast" (#), v. t.
To affright; to terrify.
[Obs.]
Chaucer. Spenser.
© Webster 1913.
A*ghast" (#), v. t.
See Agast, v. t.
[Obs.]
© Webster 1913.
A*ghast" (#), a & p. p. [OE. agast, agasted, p. p. of agasten to terrify, fr. AS. pref. a- (cf. Goth. us-, G. er-, orig. meaning out) + gstan to terrify, torment: cf. Goth. usgaisjan to terrify, primitively to fix, to root to the spot with terror; akin to L. haerere to stick fast, cling. See Gaze, Hesitate.]
Terrified; struck with amazement; showing signs of terror or horror.
Aghast he waked; and, starting from his bed,
Cold sweat in clammy drops his limbs o'erspread.
Dryden.
The commissioners read and stood aghast.
Macaulay.
© Webster 1913.