étonnait

Étonnait is a French verb that means "to surprise" or "to astonish". It is the third person singular present indicative form of the verb étonner, which is conjugated as an irregular verb in French.

When used in the context of surprise, étonnait typically implies a sense of amazement or astonishment at something that is unexpected or unusual. The verb can be used to describe a range of emotions, from mild surprise to extreme astonishment.

In grammar, étonnait is conjugated in the present tense as étonne, étonnes, étonne, étonnons, étonnez, étonnent. In the imperfect tense, the form étonnait is replaced with étonnait, étonnais, étonnait, étonnions, étonniez, étonnaient.

The verb étonner is often used in idiomatic expressions, such as "prendre quelqu'un de court", which means "to take someone by surprise". In this context, étonnait would be used to describe the action of surprising someone, rather than the feeling of being surprised oneself.

Étonnait can be used in a variety of contexts, from everyday conversation to formal writing. It is a useful verb to know for anyone learning French, as it can help to add depth and nuance to language use.

In literary and poetic contexts, étonnait is often used to create a sense of drama or tension. For example, a writer might use étonnait to describe a character's shocked reaction to a surprising event. By using the verb to create a vivid image, the writer can draw the reader into the story and create a sense of emotional connection.