My friend Marie taught me how to study my Bible. Do you have a friend like that? Did you know that not everyone is born knowing how to do this? I certainly wasn't!
Let's walk through the steps of her workshop to study this WONDERful word together. Studying the Bible is such a great adventure! And who knows that you don't need a little childlike wonder restored to you just this time of year?
A.) DEFINITION, PLEASE.
First things first- get three definitions of your word. (In this case, WONDER) Use three separate dictionary sources, making sure that one of them is Noah Webster's 1828 version. (This is free online, but the big, green book is one of the most delicious things I personally own. I want you to have it. I want everyone to have it. I wish it was with me this very moment so I could open it and just smell the pages.) Okay! How's about a little focus, B???
All we are going to do today is look at the definition of 'Wonder.' We don't want to be like Vincini in The Princess Bride now do we? We don't want any giants in the land telling us... "I don't think this word means what you think it means." Let's jump in and know our word... and practice our reading skills, because this is the longest post in the entire universe!
Wonder
From Noah Websters 1828 Dictionary
WONDER, noun [G., Gr., to show; and hence a sight; a panic.]
1. That emotion which is excited by novelty, or the presentation to the sight or mind, of something new, unusual, strange, great, extraordinary, or not well understood; something that arrests the attention by its novelty, grandeur or inexplicableness. wonder expresses less than astonishment, and much less than amazement. It differs from admiration, in not being necessarily accompanied with love, esteem or approbation, nor directed to persons. But wonder sometimes is nearly allied to astonishment, and the exact extent of the meaning of such words can hardly be graduated.
They were filled with wonder and amazement. Acts 3:10.
WONDER is the effect of novelty upon ignorance.
2. Cause of wonder; that which excites surprise; a strange thing; a prodigy.
To try things oft, and never to give over, doth wonders.
I am as a wonder to many. Psalms 71:7.
3. Any thing mentioned with surprise.
Babylon, the wonder of all tongues.
4. A miracle. Exodus 3:20.
WONDER, verb intransitive To be affected by surprise or admiration.
I could not sufficiently wonder at the intrepidity of these diminutive mortals.
We cease to wonder at what we understand.
From American Heritage Dictionary
n.
1.
a. The emotion aroused by something awe-inspiring, astounding, or surprising:gazed with wonder at the northern lights.
b. The quality that arouses such emotion: "Her long fair hair was girlish: and girlish, and touched with the wonder of mortal beauty, her face" (James Joyce).
2.
a. One that arouses awe, astonishment, surprise, or admiration; a marvel: Given all his unhealthy habits, it's a wonder he's lived this long. She was a wonder in that movie.
b. often Wonder A monumental human creation regarded with awe, especially one of seven monuments of the ancient world that appeared on various lists of late antiquity.
3.
a. An extraordinary or remarkable act or achievement: That teacher has worked wonders with these students.
b. An event inexplicable by the laws of nature; a miracle.
v. won·dered, won·der·ing, won·ders
v.intr.
1. To have a feeling of awe, astonishment, surprise, or admiration: We wondered at the ease with which she settled into her new job.
2. To be filled with curiosity or doubt: I could only wonder after hearing his excuse. I wondered about his late-night comings and goings.
v.tr.
To feel curiosity or be in doubt about: I wondered what kind of costume she would wear. I wondered why I said that.
adj.
Remarkable or extraordinary, especially in being beneficial: considers quinoa a wonder grain.
Idioms:
do wonders
To have a beneficial effect: This tonic will do wonders for you.
for a wonder
As a cause for surprise; surprisingly.
[Middle English, from Old English wundor.]
wonder·er n.
Synonyms: wonder, marvel, miracle, phenomenon
These nouns denote one that evokes amazement or admiration: saw the wonders of Paris; a marvel of modern technology; a miracle of culinary art; a phenomenon of medical science.
These nouns denote one that evokes amazement or admiration: saw the wonders of Paris; a marvel of modern technology; a miracle of culinary art; a phenomenon of medical science.
From Merriam Webster Learners Dictionary
plural wonders
Learner's definition of WONDER
1
[count] : something or someone that is very surprising, beautiful, amazing, etc.
- The Grand Canyon is one of the natural wonders of the world.
- This new computer is a technological wonder.
- She's a wonder with a paintbrush. [=she is very good at painting]
- the wonders of science
2
[noncount] : a feeling caused by seeing something that is very surprising, beautiful, amazing, etc.
- The child's eyes were filled with wonder during the trip to the circus.
- We watched the fireworks show with wonder and amazement.
- She gazed up at the tall buildings in wonder.
3
[singular] : something that is surprising or hard to believe
- It's a wonder we made it this far. [=it is surprising we made it this far]
- Is it any wonder why this movie is so popular?
do/work wonders
: to help or improve something greatly
- A vacation will do wonders for your mood.
- The treatment worked wonders on my skin.
no wonder
or small/little wonder
— used to say that something is not surprising
- It's no wonder you're hungry; you didn't have any breakfast.
- Small wonder that we're lost, since we didn't ask for directions.
- They failed to realize how costly the work would be. Little wonder, then, that their plan was rejected.
wonders never cease
humorous
— used to say that you are happy and surprised by something good that has happened
- He was on time for work all week. Wonders never cease!
- My story is finally getting published! Will wonders never cease? [=isn't that amazing/surprising?]
2 wonder /ˈwʌndɚ/ verb
wonders; wondered; wondering
Learner's definition of WONDER
1
: to have interest in knowing or learning something : to think about something with curiosity
[+ object]
- Have you ever wondered why the sky is blue?
- I wonder [=I would like to know] if he's going to change jobs.
- I wonder where I put my keys. [=I'm not sure where I put my keys; I'm trying to remember where I put my keys]
[no object]
- I was wondering about that.
2
[+ object] — used to ask a question or make a polite request
- I wonder if you could tell me where the post office is?
- We were wondering if you'd like to join us for dinner.
3
[no object] : to feel surprise or amazement
— often + at
- Sometimes his behavior makes me wonder.
- (chiefly Brit) The next class will be harder, I shouldn't wonder. [=I won't be surprised if the next class is harder]
- We stood and wondered at the impressive display of lights.
WONDER...
I'm praying right now that this word lodges in your head like something stuck in between your teeth.
WONDER...
What I wouldn't give for a toothpick,Bernadette
