əˈgast, -aa(ə)st, -aist, -ȧst adjective
Etymology: alteration (probably influenced by Scots ghast, variant of English ghost ) of Middle English agast, from past participle of agasten to frighten, be frightened, from a- (perfective prefix) + gasten to frighten — more at abear , gast
1. : seized with fear or terror : frightened , terrified
with shuddering horror pale and eyes aghast — John Milton
2. : struck with amazement, bewilderment, disgust, or surprise : shocked
the trustees, aghast when he allowed pupils to study out-of-doors, demanded stricter discipline — E.W.Parks
— usually used predicatively
he was aghast
but sometimes prepositively
thousands of aghast Britons whose rage is concentrated on their government — Mollie Panter-Downes
Synonyms: see afraid