Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English homepage

Date: 1600-1700
Language: French
Origin: Latin, from consternare 'to frighten', from consternere 'to scatter, throw down', from com- ( COM-) + sternere 'to spread out'

consternation

 noun
     
con‧ster‧na‧tion [uncountable]
a feeling of worry, shock, or fear:
The government's plans have caused considerable consternation among many Americans.
A new power station is being built much to the consternation of environmental groups (=they are very worried about it).
in consternation
He looked at her in consternation.
Definition from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
Advanced Learner's Dictionary.

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