Emily Dickinson Lexicon

appal (appalled, appalling, appals, appalls), v. [OFr apalir, wax pale, be in consternation, languish, waste away.] (webplay: faint).

1. Frighten; horrify; terrify; cause to feel shock.
2. Dismay; depress; discourage; disturb; discomfort; trouble; upset; worry; cause the soul to fade, shrink, or cringe.
3. Amaze; astonish; daze; enlighten; cause one to feel weak with joy; [word play on “pall”] wane; fade; turn white; become pale; decline; dwindle; retreat while beckoning; move away slowly.