Won″der (?), n. [OE. wonder, wunder, AS. wundor; akin to D. wonder, OS. wundar, OHG. wuntar, G. wunder, Icel. undr, Sw. & Dan. under, and perhaps to Gr. � to gaze at.]
1. That emotion which is excited by novelty, or the presentation to the sight or mind of something new, unusual, strange, great, extraordinary, or not well understood; surprise; astonishment; admiration; amazement.
They were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened unto him. Acts iii. 10.
Wonder is the effect of novelty upon ignorance. Johnson.
☞ Wonder expresses less than astonishment, and much less than amazement. It differs from admiration, as now used, in not being necessarily accompanied with love, esteem, or approbation.
2. A cause of wonder; that which excites surprise; a strange thing; a prodigy; a miracle. “ Babylon, the wonder of all tongues.” Milton.
To try things oft, and never to give over, doth wonders. Bacon.
I am as a wonder unto many. Ps. lxxi. 7.
Seven wonders of the world. See in the Dictionary of Noted Names in Fiction.