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.

Won"der , a. Wonderful. [Obs.] Gower.

After that he said a wonder thing. Chaucer.

Won"der , adv. Wonderfully. [Obs.] Chaucer.

Won"der , v. i. [imp. & p. p. Wondered (?); p. pr. & vb. n.Wondering.] [AS. wundrian.]

1. To be affected with surprise or admiration; to be struck with astonishment; to be amazed; to marvel.

I could not sufficiently wonder at the intrepidity of these diminutive mortals. Swift.

We cease to wonder at what we understand. Johnson.

2. To feel doubt and curiosity; to wait with uncertain expectation; to query in the mind; as, he wondered why they came.

I wonder, in my soul, What you would ask me, that I should deny. Shak.

-- Webster's unabridged 1913