Definition of the word stun

The word "stun" originated in Middle English around the 14th century, where it was spelled "stanen" or "distenen." At its root, the word described the process of rendering an animal unconscious or senseless in preparation for slaughter or butchery. It comes from the Old Norse word "styrr," which also meant "stun" or "stupify," and was brought to English by the Vikings during their invasions of Britain in the late 9th and 10th centuries. The word's original meaning expanded over time to refer more generally to rendering a person or animal helpless or unconscious, and it can now be found in a wide range of contexts, from sports reporting to science fiction. Today, the common use of "stun" can be seen in phrases like "stun grenade," "stun gun," and "electrically stunned fish."