nonplusation
nounEtymology From nonplus + -ation.
1
Uncommon The quality of being nonplussed.
- When the voiture stopped in the village, there seemed to be a nonplusation, to coin a word for the nonce, between my friend and his sisters.1834, Michael Scott, Tom Cringle's Log, volume 1, page 33:
- When William Rufus returned by moonlight to claim his prize, with Cervantist nonplusation he beheld Edith Matilda — dressed like a novice, kneeling before her altar, counting her beads, with candles burning.1955, The Artesian, volumes 1-2, page 14:
1 more example
- They reside in a state of nonplusation more aware than reason, more trying than insanity.1982, Canadian Literature, numbers 92-95, page 24: