Main Entry: ap·pall

Variant(s): also ap·pal \ə-ˈpȯl\

Function: verb

Inflected Form(s): ap·palled; ap·pall·ing

Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French apalir, from Old French, from a- (from Latin ad-) + palir to grow pale, from Latin pallescere, inchoative of pallēre to be pale — more at fallow

Date: 14th century

intransitive verb obsolete : weaken, failtransitive verb : to overcome with consternation, shock, or dismay <we were appalled by his behavior>

synonyms see dismay