English word amaze comes from Old English prefix ā- and root *masian (to confound), which in turn likely comes from Proto-Germanic *masōną (to struggle with, be confused)
| Dictionary entry | Language | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| ā- | Old English (ang) | Old English prefix used for forming words with the sense from, away, off, e.g. āniman, which meant 'to take away or remove' |
| *masōną | Proto-Germanic (gem-pro) | to labour, struggle with, be confused. |
| *masian | Old English (ang) | to confound |
| āmasian | Old English (ang) | To amaze. To confuse, confound, perplex. |
| amasen | Middle English (enm) | |
| amaze | English (en) | (now, _, poetic) Amazement, astonishment. [from 16th c.] (intransitive) To undergo amazement; to be astounded.. (obsolete) To bewilder; to stupefy; to bring into a maze.. (obsolete) To stupefy; to knock unconscious. [13th-17th c.]. (obsolete) To terrify, to fill with panic. [16th-18th c.]. (transitive) To fill with wonder and surprise; to astonish, astound, surprise or perplex. [from 16th c.]. |