n. & v.
n. 1 an emotion excited by what is unexpected, unfamiliar, or inexplicable, esp. surprise mingled with admiration or curiosity etc. 2 a strange or remarkable person or thing, specimen, event, etc. 3 (attrib.) having marvellous or amazing properties etc. (a wonder drug). 4 a surprising thing (it is a wonder you were not hurt).
v. 1 intr. (often foll. by at, or to + infin.) be filled with wonder or great surprise. 2 tr. (foll. by that + clause) be surprised to find. 3 tr. desire or be curious to know (I wonder what the time is). 4 tr. expressing a tentative enquiry (I wonder whether you would mind?). I shouldn't wonder colloq. I think it likely. I wonder I very much doubt it. no (or small) wonder (often foll. by that + clause) one cannot be surprised; one might have guessed; it is natural. the seven wonders of the world seven buildings and monuments regarded in antiquity as specially remarkable. wonder-struck (or -stricken) reduced to silence by wonder. wonders will never cease an exclamation of extreme (usu. agreeable) surprise. wonder-worker a person who performs wonders. work (or do) wonders 1 do miracles. 2 succeed remarkably. wonderer n.
[ OE wundor, wundrian, of unkn. orig. ]