speechless

adj

Etymology: From Middle English specheles, from Old English sprǣċlēas (“speechless; without the power of speak”), from Proto-Germanic *sprēkalausaz, equivalent to speech + -less. Cognate with West Frisian sprakeleas (“speechless”), Dutch sprakeloos (“speechless”), German Low German spraaklos (“speechless”), German sprachlos (“speechless”).

1. Not speaking; not knowing what to say; silent, especially due to surprise, amazement, etc.; wordless.

   “When he walked into his surprise birthday party, he was completely speechless.”

   “The attack was so unwarranted and delivered with such venom that his unpreparedness for it left him speechless.”

2. Synonym of unspeakable.

   “Immortal Pleaſures round my ſwimming Eyes did dance, And ſpeechleſs Joys, in whoſe ſweet Tumult toſt, I thought my Breath, and my new Being loſt.”

   “O Mother Earth, O Sun that makest clean, What poison have I heard, what speechless sin !”