aghast: [13] Aghast was originally the past participle of a verb, agasten ‘frighten’, which in turn was based on the Old English verb g?stan ‘torment’. The spelling with gh did not finally become established until the 18th century, and in fact aghast was the last in a series of etymologically related words in the general semantic area of ‘fear’ and ‘horror’ to undergo this transformation. It seems to have acquired its gh by association with ghastly, which in turn got it from ghost (probably under the ultimate influence of Flemish gheest).
aghast (adj.)
c. 1300, agast, "terrified," past participle of Middle English agasten "to frighten" (c. 1200), from a- intensive prefix + Old English g?stan "to terrify," from g?st "spirit, ghost" (see ghost). The -gh- spelling appeared early 15c. in Scottish and is possibly a Flemish influence, or after ghost, etc. It became general after 1700.
例文
1. Tania stared at him aghast ，unable to speak.
タニヤは驚いて彼を見ていて、言葉が出なかった。
2.His colleagues were aghast at the sackings.
彼の同僚たちはこれらの解雇に驚いた。
3.She watched aghast as his life flowed away.
彼の命が消えていくのを見て、彼女は驚きました。
4.Erica looked at him aghast .
エリカは驚いて彼を見つめていた。
5.She was aghast at the extent of the damage to her car.