wonder

noun

1. (uncountable)A sense of awe, astonishment and curiosity, inspired by unexpected events, novel experiences and inexplicable circumstances, sometimes accompanied by surprise, shock or reverence.

   “And they knew that it was hee which ſate for almes at the beautifull gate of the Temple: and they were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened vnto him.”

   “All wonder is the effect of novelty upon ignorance.”

   “Socrates: I see, my dear Theaetetus, that Theodorus had a true insight into your nature when he said that you were a philosopher, for wonder is the feeling of a philosopher, and philosophy begins in wonder. He was not a bad genealogist who said that Iris (the messenger of heaven) is the child of Thaumas (wonder).”

   “Stuff your eyes with wonder […]live as if you'd drop dead in ten seconds. See the world. It's more fantastic than any dream made or paid for in factories.”

2. (countable)Something that causes amazement or awe; a marvel.

   “Wonders of the World seem to come in sevens.”

   “That concertina was a wonder in its way. The handles that was on it first was wore out long ago, and he'd made new ones of braided rope yarn. And the bellows was patched in more places than a cranberry picker's overalls.”

3. (countable, uncountable)Something that causes amazement or awe; a marvel.

   “That stay in the country did her wonders.”

   “It's a wonder no-one saw me.”

4. (countable, uncountable)Something that causes amazement or awe; a marvel.

   “The idea was so ridiculous that it's a wonder anyone went along with it.”

5. (countable, uncountable)Something that causes amazement or awe; a marvel.

   “Given the limited resources, he's really performed wonders.”

6. (countable, uncountable)Something that causes amazement or awe; a marvel.

   “He's a wonder at cooking.”

7. (colloquial, countable, sarcastic, uncountable)Something that causes amazement or awe; a marvel.

   “So the voiceless wonder speaks at last.”

   “Well, I wanted to tell the brainless wonder what I thought of him.”

   “'Where is the cheating dickless wonder?'”

   “Well, the chinless wonder in question broke out through a snatch squad and evaded capture as neatly as any field op in the Network.”

8. (UK, countable, informal)A mental pondering, a thought.

   “Miss Paynter had a little wonder as to whether the man, as she called Mr. Lacy in her own mind, had ever been admitted to this room. She thought not.”

9. (US, countable)A kind of donut; a cruller.
10. Any of the Wonders of the World.

verb

1. (intransitive)To be affected with surprise or admiration; to be struck with astonishment; to be amazed; to marvel; often followed by at.

   “He's married by now, I shouldn't wonder.”

   “[…]I could not ſufficiently wonder at the Intrepidity of theſe diminutive Mortals,[…]”

   “Some had read the manuſcript, and rectified its inaccuracies; others had ſeen it in a ſtate ſo imperfect, that they could not forbear to wonder at its preſent excellence; […]”

   “The Celebrity, by arts unknown, induced Mrs. Judge Short and two other ladies to call at Mohair on a certain afternoon when Mr. Cooke was trying a trotter on the track. The three returned wondering and charmed with Mrs. Cooke; they were sure she had had no hand in the furnishing of that atrocious house.”

2. (intransitive, transitive)To ponder; to feel doubt and curiosity; to query in the mind.

   “He wondered whether penguins could fly. She had wondered this herself sometimes.”

   “Has Jay gone fishing, I wonder?”

   “I was wondering what time the film was starting.”

   “I wonder in my Soule / What you would aske me, that I ſhould deny[…]”

   “Topping it all off, The National Alliance is an expensive, professionally-produced newspaper that is distributed for free all over the place. One wonders: Where does their money come from? Who is supporting them?”