planet-struck
adjUK /ˈplanɪtstɹʌk/
1
Archaic Afflicted by the astrological influence of a planet; struck down with amazement or shock; panic-stricken.
- Budæus records how that, at Louis the Twelfth his death, ..., they that were erst in heaven, upon a sudden, as if they had been planet-strucken, lay grovelling on the ground ...1621, Robert Burton, The Anatomy of Melancholy, I.2.4.VII:
- I protest I know not what Face the Moon bore at that time, but I am sure I appear'd like one Planet-struck, and retir'd, more fit indeed for a Grave than a Mistress.1723, Charles Walker, Memoirs of Sally Salisbury, section VI:
3 more examples
- I was planet-struck! Nor was his surprise less, when he saw me, and heard my errand and my name.1792, Thomas Holcroft, Anna St. Ives, volume II, 23:
- [N]early a hundred officers all with their swords on […] had been drawn to the court-house in the hopes of entertainment from hearing Cressey abuse the judges, but who seemed quite planet-struck when the riot commenced, and more frightened than any other of the spectators!1808–10, William Hickey, Memoirs of a Georgian Rake, Folio Society 1995, p. 234
- To be thus ‘planet-struck’ or ‘blasted’ was to be suddenly and inexplicably affected by a paralysing disease, apoplexy or other kind of sudden death.1971, Keith Thomas, Religion and the Decline of Magic, Folio Society, published 2012, page 613:
- Synonyms
- planet-stricken