stupéfier

stupefy, astound

verb stoo-peh-FYEH Rare

Origin: Latin stupefacere, from stupere (to be stunned) + facere (to make)

Usage Note

Stupéfier expresses a strong, often paralysing astonishment. The past participle stupéfié is used adjectivally: il était stupéfié (he was dumbfounded). The related noun stupéfiant doubles as 'narcotic drug' (a substance that stupefies), which can cause a moment of ambiguity in context.

Examples

"La nouvelle l'a complètement stupéfié."

Natural Translation

The news completely stupefied him.

Literal Translation

The news him has completely stupefied.

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