admirationn.
/ˌadmᵻˈreɪʃn/, U.S. /ˌædməˈreɪʃ(ə)n/ 1. The action or an act of wondering or marvelling; wonder, astonishment, surprise. Now rare.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > expectation > feeling of wonder, astonishment > [noun]
wonderc700
wonderingOE
ferlya1300
marvelc1330
stupora1398
admirationc1425
admirativec1487
amazement1576
mazement1580
stupefaction1592
amazedness1593
astonishment1594
stonishment1594
amaze1598
surprisal1652
staggerment1933
the mind > mental capacity > expectation > surprise, unexpectedness > [noun] > state of being surprised
astoningc1374
admirationc1425
stonishingc1520
stonishment1594
surprisedness1672
flabbergastation1856
the mind > mental capacity > expectation > feeling of wonder, astonishment > [noun] > act of wondering
stonyingc1315
astoningc1374
marvellinga1450
stonishingc1520
astonishing1530
stoyning1594
astonying1607
admiration1611
stranging1658
c1425 Bk. Found. St. Bartholomew's (1923) 7 (MED) Pregnant & frutefull sentences of heuenly mystery, worthy to be trowid with feith and admiracion.
?a1475 (?a1425) tr. R. Higden Polychron. (Harl. 2261) (1869) II. 219 (MED) Bestes..whiche were create..to the spectacle of admiracion flee in grete parte the siȝhte of man.
1502 tr. Ordynarye of Crysten Men (de Worde) i. vii. sig. g.vi v Yf he haue admyracyon that one essence of deite be in thre persones.
1567 R. Sempill in J. Cranstoun Satirical Poems Reformation (1891) I. 31 I studeit still, and nathing could I say, My mynde was full of admiratioun.
1597 J. Payne Royall Exchange 39 Cease thy admirations on Gods longe suffrings and providens, neyther mervell..why God delayeth his help.
1611 Bible (King James) Rev. xvii. 6 When I saw her, I wondred with great admiration . View more context for this quotation
1696 J. Asgill Several Assertions Proved xiii. 42 The plain appearance of them raises an admiration, that they were never before observed.
1719 D. Defoe Farther Adventures Robinson Crusoe 82 But now the Admiration was turn'd upon another Question, (viz.) what could be the Matter?
1759 E. Burke Philos. Enq. Sublime & Beautiful (ed. 2) ii. §2. 98 They frequently use the same word, to signify indifferently the modes of astonishment or admiration and those of terror.
1826 W. Scott Woodstock III. i. 30 Phœbe stood gaping in admiration at the sudden quarrel.
1829 W. Hamilton in Edinb. Rev. Oct. 203 How..it could ever be doubted..may well be deemed a matter of the profoundest admiration.
1953 V. Randolph & G. P. Wilson Down in Holler 85 Admiration, usually shortened to miration, still means wonderment or surprise in the Ozarks.
2. Regard for someone or something considered praiseworthy or excellent; esteem, approbation; appreciation. Also: a feeling or expression of this.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > admiration > [noun]
marvelc1330
admiration1481
wondera1586
admire1591
admiring1594
admirance1596
1481 (a1470) J. Tiptoft tr. Cicero De Amicicia (Caxton) sig. b1v I by a maner of admyracyon [L. admiratione] of his vertues loued hym.
1563 G. Hay Confut. Abbote of Crosraguels Masse f. 65 Some of the conciles to be worthy of prayse, and admiration.
1589 G. Puttenham Arte Eng. Poesie ii. xii. 91 To bring the world into admiration of their lawes and Religion.
1617 G. Wither Fidelia in Juvenilia 1633, 480 That love which Admiration first begot, Pitty would strengthen.
c1680 W. Beveridge Serm. (1729) I. 10 Take heed that you have not men's persons in admiration.
1710 tr. P. Bayle Hist. & Crit. Dict. II. 842/1 Capistran being a Picentine born, his Italian had gain'd him the Admiration of his own Country, but was of no service to him in Hungary.
1790 Gentleman's Mag. Mar. 195/2 I have read the first book with an admiration, a pleasure, that I cannot express.
1820 S. T. Coleridge Coll. Lett. (1971) V. 11 I shall have strangely perverted & misexpressed my own mind and feelings if you do not recognize in my remarks the unfeigned admiration & regard with which I am, dear Sir, Your obliged S. T. Coleridge.
1860 J. Tyndall Glaciers of Alps i. 72 One large star in particular excited our admiration.
1871 J. Ruskin Fors Clavigera I. v. 17 Admiration—the power of discerning and taking delight in what is beautiful in visible Form, and lovely in human Character.
1915 J. Turner Let. July in C. Warren Somewhere in France (2019) 16 I told him [sc. one of the White Fathers of Uganda] of the respect and admiration of the English Church for this work.
1939 A. Huxley After Many a Summer iv. 46 Her admiration gave him an intense satisfaction.
1977 S. King Shining xv. 119 It was a model car, one of the Big Daddy Roth caricatures that Danny had expressed an admiration for in the past.
2005 J. Diamond Collapse (2006) xiv. 439 There have been many such courageous, insightful, strong leaders who deserve our admiration.
3. A cause of wonder, high regard, or esteem. In early use also: †a marvellous or astonishing thing (obsolete). Later chiefly in the admiration of ——.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > expectation > feeling of wonder, astonishment > quality of inspiring wonder > [noun] > a marvel, object of wonder
wonderc700
wonderinga1100
selcouthc1175
sellya1200
ferlyc1275
wondernessc1275
wonder thingc1290
adventurec1300
marvelc1300
marvellingc1400
wonderelc1440
signc1450
admiration1490
wonderment1542
wondering stockc1555
miracle-worker1561
singularity1576
stupor mundi1587
miracle1595
marvellation1599
portent1607
astonishment1611
prodigy1616
magnale1623
magnality1646
mirable1646
phenomenon1741
gaping-stock1817
reacher1825
stunner1829
buster1833
caution1834
merry-go-rounder1838
knock-down1843
astonisher1871
marvelry1874
mazer1876
phenom1881
whizzer1888
knock-out1892
whizz1908
doozy1916
doozer1930
heart-stopper1940
blockbuster1942
ooh-ah1957
mind-blower1968
stonker1987
the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > excellence > [noun] > excellent person or thing
carbunclea1350
swanc1386
phoenixc1400
diamondc1440
broocha1464
surmounterc1500
sovereign?a1513
primrose peerless1523
superlative1577
transcendent1593
Arabian birda1616
crack1637
first rate1681
peach1710
phoenicle1711
admiration1717
spanker1751
first-raterc1760
no slouch of1767
nailer1806
tip-topper1822
ripper1825
ripstaver1828
apotheosis1832
clinker1836
clipper1836
bird1839
keener1839
ripsnorter1840
beater1845
firecracker1845
pumpkin1845
screamer1846
stunner1847
bottler1855
beaut1866
bobby-dazzler1866
one out of the box1867
stem-winder1875
corker1877
trimmer1878
hot stuff1884
daisy1886
jim-dandy1887
cracker1891
jim-hickey1895
peacherino1896
pippin1897
alpha plus1898
peacherine1900
pip1900
humdinger1905
bosker1906
hummer1907
good egg1914
superstar1914
the berries1918
bee's knee1923
the cat's whiskers1923
smash1923
smash hit1923
brahma1925
dilly1935
piss-cutter1935
killer1937
killer-diller1938
a hard act to follow1942
peacheroo1942
bitch1946
brammerc1950
hot shit1960
Tiffany1973
bollocks1981
1490 W. Caxton tr. Boke yf Eneydos xxvii. sig. Giiij The harde & sorowfull admyracions [Fr. admiracions] that thenne made palmyerus yt was maistre of eneas shippe, ben declared.
c1550 Complaynt Scotl. (1979) vi. 43 Ther is ane vthir admiration of the variant course of the mune.
c1565 ‘T. C.’ tr. G. Boccaccio Galesus Cymon & Iphigenia sig. B.i This chang, to Courtiers seemed strang a wonder, to his feeres: An admiration, to his kinne, a ioy to fathers yeares.
a1616 W. Shakespeare All's Well that ends Well (1623) ii. i. 87 Now good Lafew, Bring in the admiration, that we with thee May spend our wonder too. View more context for this quotation
1654 F. G. tr. ‘G. de Scudéry’ Artamenes III. vi. 106 My desires ayme only,..that you may be the admiration of the people over whom you are to raign.
1717 Lady M. W. Montagu Let. 16 Jan. (1965) I. 296 The young prince..is the admiration of the whole court.
1753 Philos. Trans. 1751–2 (Royal Soc.) 47 189 He was the gazing-stock and admiration of all people.
1833 H. Martineau Brooke & Brooke Farm (ed. 3) xii. 133 Joe's house is the admiration of all who know what comfort is.
1883 ‘M. Twain’ Life on Mississippi liv. 388 He was the admiration of all the mothers, and the detestation of all their sons.
1902 Out West Aug. 167 The average California family of the day was an admiration to many chroniclers.
1975 in Sc. National Dict. (1976) X. at Admire It was a admiration ta everybody at he could dü it.
2000 M. G. Brock in M. G. Brock & M. C. Curthoys Hist. Univ. Oxf. VII. 865 The Greats course, which resulted from Oxford's preponderant classical tradition, was the admiration of the university world.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > excellence > [noun]
goodnessOE
mund?c1250
daintethc1290
bountyc1300
daintyc1300
excellencec1384
virtuea1393
excellency?a1400
nobilitya1400
meritc1425
singularity?c1450
fineness1523
admirationa1533
rareness1545
rightness1561
rariety1566
rarity1566
excellentness1569
beautya1586
admirableness1607
primeness1611
gallantry1650
eximiety1656
optimity1656
altesse1660
unexceptionableness1669
excellingness1701
quality1803
sterlingness1815
stupendosity1828
goodliness1832
superbness1832
unexceptionability1837
sweetness and light1867
class1884
rortiness1885
rippingness1903
superstardom1928
motherfucker1977
awesomeness1998
the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > approval or sanction > commendation or praise > praiseworthiness > [noun]
praising?c1225
admirationa1533
praiseworthiness1549
praise1589
admirableness1607
admirability1613
commendablenessa1639
praisableness1648
recommendableness1660
laudableness1695
laudability1715
recommendability1843
a1533 Ld. Berners tr. A. de Guevara Golden Bk. M. Aurelius (1537) f. 11v Their fewe wordes and good werkes haue left vs example of great admyration [Fr. exemples d'admiration].
1559 P. Morwyng tr. C. Gesner Treasure of Euonymus 361 It is a remeady of great admiracion against the forsaid poisons.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Tempest (1623) iii. i. 38 Admir'd Miranda! Indeede the top of Admiration . View more context for this quotation
1642 T. Taylor God's Judgem. i. i. xxix. 133 [They] found him to be starke dead, not without markes upon him of wonderfull admiration.
5. An exclamation mark. Frequently attributive, as admiration mark, admiration point, etc. Cf. note (also mark, point, †sign) of admiration at Phrases 2. Now rare.
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > writing > written character > punctuation > [noun] > exclamation mark
admiration1587
note (also mark, point, sign) of admiration1611
exclamation point1656
note of exclamation1656
shriek-mark1864
screamer1895
exclamation mark1896
1587 F. Clement Petie Schole 27 The interrogation is signed thus ? as: liue not schollers the pleasantest life? The admiration in this wise ! as Oh, how excellent a thing is learning in euery estate!
1661 T. Hunt Libellus Orthographicus xlvi. 119 An Admiration point, (called also the note of Exclamation)..is marked thus —— (!).
1748 J. Mason Ess. Elocution 23 The Common Stops or Points are these: A Comma (,), Semi-colon (;)..Interrogation (?), Admiration (!).
1841 Graham's Mag. July 45/2 ‘Bad grammar must be the bad writing and speaking of the English language correctly!!’ We give the two admiration notes and all.
1893 Trans. Asiatic Soc. Japan 21 128 A dear old grandam, bent by years to a question-mark, hobbled bravely across notwithstanding, and now a fair little girl, straight and slim as an admiration point, performed the feat.
1996 E. Ferreiro & C. Zucchermaglio in C. Pontecorvo et al. Children's Early Text Constr. x. 181 Spanish has two different marks that do not exist in the English system: an admiration mark that opens and an interrogative mark that opens.
Phrases
P1. to admiration: in an admirable manner; admirably. [Compare Middle French, French à merveille , à merveilles (see à merveille adv.).]
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > approval or sanction > quality of being approvable or acceptable > [adverb]
allowablyc1443
acceptably1479
admirably1570
to admiration1591
admiredly1598
acceptedly1600
unrebukably1609
unexceptionably1662
1591 A. Colynet True Hist. Ciuill Warres France vi. 374 As this [city] is great and large, so is it populous to admiration, surpassing the report which may be made thereof.
1633 W. Ames Fresh Suit against Human Ceremonies Pref. sig. B4v This book..hath made all things evident to them, even to admiration.
1681 H. More Plain Expos. Daniel App. i. 259 You shall find this part of the Prophecy fulfilled to admiration.
a1684 J. Evelyn Diary anno 1646 (1955) II. 501 They are curious in Straw-worke among the Nunns, even to admiration.
1707 Philos. Trans. 1706–7 (Royal Soc.) 25 2420 Hay..will dry up a new Milch-Cow, starve an Horse, yet will it feed an Oxe to admiration.
1793 J. Smeaton Narr. Edystone Lighthouse (ed. 2) §152 The Buss in all the past bad weather had indeed rode it out to admiration.
1823 C. Lamb Old Benchers in Elia 201 [He] moulded heads in clay or plaster of Paris to admiration, by the dint of natural genius merely.
a1861 G. H. Derby Squibob Papers (1865) xxiv. 233 Possibly the rule might work to admiration in a corps where no incentives were held out for study or improvement.
1903 A. H. Lewis Boss (1904) xviii. 241 Morton's plan worked to admiration.
1930 V. Woolf Beau Brummell 5 He..tied his cravat to admiration.
2001 Herald (Glasgow) (Nexis) 23 May 21 It was a compelling idea, and it worked to admiration.
P2. note (also mark, point, †sign) of admiration: = exclamation mark at exclamation n. 4c. Also in extended use. Now historical. [Compare French admiratif (see admirative point n. at admirative n. and adj. Compounds and compare quot. 1611).]
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > writing > written character > punctuation > [noun] > exclamation mark
admiration1587
note (also mark, point, sign) of admiration1611
exclamation point1656
note of exclamation1656
shriek-mark1864
screamer1895
exclamation mark1896
1611 R. Cotgrave Dict. French & Eng. Tongues at Admiratif Th' admirative point, or point of admiration (and of detestation) marked, or made thus !
a1616 W. Shakespeare Winter's Tale (1623) v. ii. 11 The changes I perceiued in the King, and Camillo, were very Notes of admiration . View more context for this quotation
1656 J. Smith Myst. Rhetorique Unvail'd 271 A note of Exclamation or Admiration, thus noted—!
1702 A. J. Grammatica Anglo-Lusitanica 144 The Sign of Admiration is known by the following Sign (!) which likewise requires a greater Character after it.
1719–20 J. Swift Let. to Young Gentleman (1721) 13 To skip over all Sentences where he spy'd a Note of Admiration at the End.
1751 T. Smollett Peregrine Pickle II. xlvi. 61 The Swiss..pronounced the word magnifique! with a note of admiration.
1820 London Mag. Jan. 33/1 Our poetry is paid for by the line, but notes of admiration are charged separately.
1845 C. W. Connon Syst. Eng. Gram. 162 The mark of admiration (!), put after any exclamation of surprise, lamentation, or scorn.
1859 J. Lang Wanderings in India 387 You will have the Commander-in-Chief down upon you with five-and-twenty notes of admiration at the end of every sentence.
1919 G. Summey Mod. Punctuation viii. 189 The exclamation mark has been variously called the note of admiration, the shriek of surprise, [etc.].
1999 V. Salmon in R. Lass Cambr. Hist. Eng. Lang. III. ii. 40 Another punctuation mark, noted by Hart..is the note of admiration or exclamation mark.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2011; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
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n.c1425