stunningn.
/ˈstʌnɪŋ/ a. The action of stun v.; the state of being stunned.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > physical sensibility > physical insensibility > dullness of sense perception > [noun] > stunned condition
stunningc1475
disturdisona1500
stun1727
the world > physical sensation > physical sensibility > physical insensibility > dullness of sense perception > [noun] > stunned condition > stunning
stunningc1475
stoyning1594
stun1727
c1475 Partenay 1230 To hym A gret stonyng was it verily.
1804 J. Abernethy Surg. Observ. 175 The lad had recovered from the immediate stunning occasioned by the injury.
1847 J. Russell Reminisc. Yarrow (1894) 296 Having recovered from the stunning, he was able to sit out the service.
b. spec. Exfoliation or scaling away of the surface of stone (see quot. 1843).
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > condition of being external > covering > uncovering > [noun] > stripping or uncovering so as to leave bare > stripping or shedding external layer > of surface of stone
stunning1843
1843 R. W. Billings Archit. Illustr. & Descr. Durham Cathedral 15 There is a peculiarity about the stone, called by the workmen ‘stunning’, which is the peeling off (within a few years), from the effect of hammer and chisel, of a layer varying from one quarter to three eighths of an inch thick.
1884 J. H. Blunt Annot. Bk. Common Prayer 429 (note) The deficiencies now existing in the left-hand panel through the stunning of the stone on which they are sculptured.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1919; most recently modified version published online December 2019).
stunningadj.
/ˈstʌnɪŋ/ 1. That stuns or stupefies; dazing, astounding; deafening.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > degree, kind, or quality of sound > loudness > [adjective] > deafening
deafeninga1616
deafinga1625
obtunding1645
stunning1667
ear-splitting1761
splitting1821
head-splitting1824
shattering1842
ear-sore1859
the mind > mental capacity > expectation > feeling of wonder, astonishment > quality of inspiring wonder > [adjective] > stunning
stupendiousa1549
obstupefactive1605
stounding1608
stupendous1618
stupend1621
stunning1667
stupefactive1689
stupefying1870
reeling1896
drop-dead1962
the world > physical sensation > physical sensibility > physical insensibility > dullness of sense perception > [adjective] > stunned > stunning
swimec1540
stounding1608
stunning1667
necking1681
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost ii. 952 A universal hubbub wilde Of stunning sounds and voices all confus'd. View more context for this quotation
1702 C. Mather Magnalia Christi vii. vi. 55/2 But the Stunningest Wound of all given to them, was, when..near Four Hundred of them were..surprised at the House of Major Waldern.
1760 M. Delany Autobiogr. & Corr. (1861) III. 614 The Rooms hot and stunning—I wish for balls as the quieter entertainment!
1817 W. Scott Rob Roy III. ix. 260 My father's arrival..was a stunning blow to MacVittie and Company.
1863 C. Reade Hard Cash I. ix. 249 The victorious crew raised a stunning cheer.
1911 Expositor July 61 His besetting sins received a stunning stroke.
2.
a. colloquial. Excellent, first-rate, ‘splendid’, delightful; extremely attractive or good-looking.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > beauty > [adjective]
smickerc725
faireOE
lieflyOE
sheenOE
wenlichc1000
wlitic1000
lovesomec1175
lustya1240
flourisheda1375
lovelya1400
weenc1400
beauteous1435
beautifulc1443
finec1450
pulchriousa1500
speciousa1513
shanda1525
speciosea1525
pulchrousc1540
bonny1580
beauty1598
lovelike1621
killing1634
florid1642
beautied1830
stunning1849
fairsome1862
pulchritudinous1877
beaut1894
loverly1907
the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > excellence > [adjective]
faireOE
bremea1000
goodlyOE
goodfulc1275
noblec1300
pricec1300
specialc1325
gentlec1330
fine?c1335
singulara1340
thrivena1350
thriven and throa1350
gaya1375
properc1380
before-passinga1382
daintiful1393
principala1398
gradelya1400
burlyc1400
daintyc1400
thrivingc1400
voundec1400
virtuousc1425
hathelc1440
curiousc1475
singlerc1500
beautiful1502
rare?a1534
gallant1539
eximious1547
jolly1548
egregious?c1550
jellyc1560
goodlike1562
brawc1565
of worth1576
brave?1577
surprising1580
finger-licking1584
admirablea1586
excellinga1586
ambrosial1598
sublimated1603
excellent1604
valiant1604
fabulous1609
pure1609
starryc1610
topgallant1613
lovely1614
soaringa1616
twanging1616
preclarent1623
primea1637
prestantious1638
splendid1644
sterling1647
licking1648
spankinga1666
rattling1690
tearing1693
famous1695
capital1713
yrare1737
pure and —1742
daisy1757
immense1762
elegant1764
super-extra1774
trimming1778
grand1781
gallows1789
budgeree1793
crack1793
dandy1794
first rate1799
smick-smack1802
severe1805
neat1806
swell1810
stamming1814
divine1818
great1818
slap-up1823
slapping1825
high-grade1826
supernacular1828
heavenly1831
jam-up1832
slick1833
rip-roaring1834
boss1836
lummy1838
flash1840
slap1840
tall1840
high-graded1841
awful1843
way up1843
exalting1844
hot1845
ripsnorting1846
clipping1848
stupendous1848
stunning1849
raving1850
shrewd1851
jammy1853
slashing1854
rip-staving1856
ripping1858
screaming1859
up to dick1863
nifty1865
premier cru1866
slap-bang1866
clinking1868
marvellous1868
rorty1868
terrific1871
spiffing1872
all wool and a yard wide1882
gorgeous1883
nailing1883
stellar1883
gaudy1884
fizzing1885
réussi1885
ding-dong1887
jim-dandy1888
extra-special1889
yum-yum1890
out of sight1891
outasight1893
smooth1893
corking1895
large1895
super1895
hot dog1896
to die for1898
yummy1899
deevy1900
peachy1900
hi1901
v.g.1901
v.h.c.1901
divvy1903
doozy1903
game ball1905
goodo1905
bosker1906
crackerjack1910
smashinga1911
jake1914
keen1914
posh1914
bobby-dazzling1915
juicy1916
pie on1916
jakeloo1919
snodger1919
whizz-bang1920
wicked1920
four-star1921
wow1921
Rolls-Royce1922
whizz-bang1922
wizard1922
barry1923
nummy1923
ripe1923
shrieking1926
crazy1927
righteous1930
marvy1932
cool1933
plenty1933
brahmaa1935
smoking1934
solid1935
mellow1936
groovy1937
tough1937
bottler1938
fantastic1938
readyc1938
ridge1938
super-duper1938
extraordinaire1940
rumpty1940
sharp1940
dodger1941
grouse1941
perfecto1941
pipperoo1945
real gone1946
bosting1947
supersonic1947
whizzo1948
neato1951
peachy-keen1951
ridgey-dite1953
ridgy-didge1953
top1953
whizzing1953
badass1955
wild1955
belting1956
magic1956
bitching1957
swinging1958
ridiculous1959
a treat1959
fab1961
bad-assed1962
uptight1962
diggish1963
cracker1964
marv1964
radical1964
bakgat1965
unreal1965
pearly1966
together1968
safe1970
bad1971
brilliant1971
fabby1971
schmick1972
butt-kicking1973
ripper1973
Tiffany1973
bodacious1976
rad1976
kif1978
awesome1979
death1979
killer1979
fly1980
shiok1980
stonking1980
brill1981
dope1981
to die1982
mint1982
epic1983
kicking1983
fabbo1984
mega1985
ill1986
posho1989
pukka1991
lovely jubbly1992
awesomesauce2001
nang2002
bess2006
amazeballs2009
boasty2009
daebak2009
beaut2013
1849 C. Dickens David Copperfield (1850) xi. 116 ‘Twopence-halfpenny,’ says the landlord, ‘is the price of the Genuine Stunning ale.’
1850 W. M. Thackeray Pendennis II. i. 5 Those regular stunning slap-up out-and-outers.
1856 F. E. Paget Owlet of Owlstone Edge 193 Laura Wydawake is the most stunning girl I ever set my eyes on.
1867 A. Trollope Last Chron. Barset I. xl. 346 Fancy Polly with a house of her own! Won't it be stunning?
1883 F. M. Peard Contradictions xxiii The new footman is a stunning hand.
b. quasi-adv. (intensifying the following adjective).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > excellence > [adverb]
fairlyOE
goodlyc1275
finec1330
properlyc1390
daintily?a1400
thrivinglya1400
goodlily?1457
excellent1483
excellently1527
excellently1529
curiously1548
jollilyc1563
admirably1570
beautifully1570
singularly1576
bravelyc1600
famouslya1616
manlya1616
primely1622
prime1648
eximiously1650
topping1683
egregiously1693
purely1695
trimmingly1719
toppinglya1739
surprisingly1749
capitally1750
brawly1796
jellily18..
stammingly1814
divinely1822
stunningly1823
rippingly1828
jam up1835
out of sight1835
first-rately1843
first rate1844
like a charm1845
stunning1851
marvellously1859
magnificently1868
first class1871
splendidly1883
sterlingly1883
tip-top1888
like one o'clock1901
deevily1905
goodo1907
dandy1908
bonzer1914
great1916
juicily1916
corkingly1917
champion1925
unbeatably1928
snodger1946
beaut1953
smashingly1956
groovily1970
awesome1984
1851 H. Mayhew London Labour I. 36/2 A lad about fourteen informed me that ‘brass buttons, like a huntman's..looked stunning flash.’
1888 ‘R. Boldrewood’ Robbery under Arms xxiv The old woman cooked us a stunning good dinner.
Derivatives
ˈstunningly adv.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > excellence > [adverb]
fairlyOE
goodlyc1275
finec1330
properlyc1390
daintily?a1400
thrivinglya1400
goodlily?1457
excellent1483
excellently1527
excellently1529
curiously1548
jollilyc1563
admirably1570
beautifully1570
singularly1576
bravelyc1600
famouslya1616
manlya1616
primely1622
prime1648
eximiously1650
topping1683
egregiously1693
purely1695
trimmingly1719
toppinglya1739
surprisingly1749
capitally1750
brawly1796
jellily18..
stammingly1814
divinely1822
stunningly1823
rippingly1828
jam up1835
out of sight1835
first-rately1843
first rate1844
like a charm1845
stunning1851
marvellously1859
magnificently1868
first class1871
splendidly1883
sterlingly1883
tip-top1888
like one o'clock1901
deevily1905
goodo1907
dandy1908
bonzer1914
great1916
juicily1916
corkingly1917
champion1925
unbeatably1928
snodger1946
beaut1953
smashingly1956
groovily1970
awesome1984
the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > degree, kind, or quality of sound > loudness > [adverb] > deafening
stunningly1823
deafeningly1848
the mind > mental capacity > expectation > feeling of wonder, astonishment > quality of inspiring wonder > [adverb] > with stunning effect
stupendly1621
stupendiously1629
stupendously1659
stunningly1823
the world > relative properties > quantity > greatness of quantity, amount, or degree > high or intense degree > [adverb] > extremely or exceedingly > amazingly or wonderfully
wonderlyc1000
wonderc1175
wonderfullya1300
marvellouslya1382
marvellousa1400
marvelly?a1400
wonderful14..
miraculouslya1425
wonderslyc1489
wondersc1528
wondrously1535
prodigiously1541
wondrous1557
stupendly1621
stupendiously1629
amazingly1650
stupendously1659
astonishingly1668
tremendously1684
prodigious1694
portentously1755
miraculous1766
awesomely1821
stunningly1823
fabulously1845
devastatingly1905
fantastically1923
dizzyingly1952
staggeringly1976
1823 W. Scott Quentin Durward II. x. 238 The noise..became ten times more stunningly audible.
1854 C. Dickens Hard Times ii. i. 145 Is the lady so very alarming?..Repellently and stunningly clever?
1863 ‘G. Eliot’ Romola III. xxi. 231 Shouting, yelling, half-motiveless execration rang stunningly in his ears.
1889 Temple Bar Nov. 351 A pain that would have been fierce had it not been so stunningly dull.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1919; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
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n.c1475
adj.1667