Where does “consternation” come from?

Consternation comes from French consternation, from Latin consternatio, a noun formation using the suffix -tio attached to the Latin prefix con-, ultimately derived from Latin cum meaning "with."

consternation (English): Amazement or horror that confounds the faculties,...

Definitions

  1. Amazement or horror that confounds the faculties,...

Ancestry of “consternation”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Frenchconsternationconsternation
2Frenchconsternerto alarm, to dismay
3Latincōnsternōto strew over, bestrew, cover by strewing, spread, bespread; cover, thatch
4Latincōn-Used in compounds to indicate a being or bringing together of several objects
5Latincumwith, along with; at; -fold
6Old LatincomAlternative form of cum
7Proto-Italickomwith, along, at
8Proto-Indo-Europeanḱómbeside, near, by, with
9Proto-Indo-EuropeanḱeDeictic particle, here; Post-positional...
10Middle Englishkyt
11Germankittputty certain kinds of cement used for fixing e.g. window panes
12Old High Germankuti
13Proto-West Germanickwidugum, resin
14Proto-Germanickweduzresin
15Proto-Indo-Europeangʷet-resin, gum; to say, speak
16Proto-Indo-Europeangū-to bend; curve; arch; vault; to bow, bend, arch,...
Every word from Proto-Indo-European gū-Every word from Latin cōn-Every word from Proto-Indo-European gʷet-
consternation — Etymology, Origin & Word History | Etymology Explorer