Perplex


[per-pleks] /pərˈplɛks/

verb (used with object)
1.
to cause to be puzzled or bewildered over what is not understood or certain; confuse mentally:
Her strange response perplexed me.
2.
to make complicated or confused, as a matter or question.
3.
to hamper with complications, confusion, or uncertainty.
/pəˈplɛks/
verb (transitive)
1.
to puzzle; bewilder; confuse
2.
to complicate: to perplex an issue
v.

late 14c. as an adjective, “perplexed, puzzled, bewildered,” from Latin perplexus “involved, confused, intricate;” but Latin had no corresponding verb *perplectere. The Latin compound would be per “through” (see per) + plexus “entangled,” past participle of plectere “to twine, braid, fold” (see complex (adj.)).

The form of the English adjective shifted to perplexed by late 15c., probably to conform to other past participle adjectives. The verb is latest attested of the group, in 1590s, evidently a back-formation from the adjective. Related: Perplexing, which well describes the history of the word.

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  • Perplexed

    [per-plekst] /pərˈplɛkst/ adjective 1. bewildered; puzzled: a perplexed state of mind. 2. complicated; involved; entangled. [per-pleks] /pərˈplɛks/ verb (used with object) 1. to cause to be puzzled or bewildered over what is not understood or certain; confuse mentally: Her strange response perplexed me. 2. to make complicated or confused, as a matter or question. 3. […]

  • Perplexing

    [per-pleks] /pərˈplɛks/ verb (used with object) 1. to cause to be puzzled or bewildered over what is not understood or certain; confuse mentally: Her strange response perplexed me. 2. to make complicated or confused, as a matter or question. 3. to hamper with complications, confusion, or uncertainty. /pəˈplɛks/ verb (transitive) 1. to puzzle; bewilder; confuse […]

  • Perplexingly

    [per-pleks] /pərˈplɛks/ verb (used with object) 1. to cause to be puzzled or bewildered over what is not understood or certain; confuse mentally: Her strange response perplexed me. 2. to make complicated or confused, as a matter or question. 3. to hamper with complications, confusion, or uncertainty. /pəˈplɛks/ verb (transitive) 1. to puzzle; bewilder; confuse […]

  • Perplexities

    [per-plek-si-tee] /pərˈplɛk sɪ ti/ noun, plural perplexities. 1. the state of being ; confusion; uncertainty. 2. something that : a case plagued with perplexities. 3. a tangled, involved, or confused condition or situation. /pəˈplɛksɪtɪ/ noun (pl) -ties 1. the state of being perplexed 2. the state of being intricate or complicated 3. something that perplexes […]

  • Perplexity

    [per-plek-si-tee] /pərˈplɛk sɪ ti/ noun, plural perplexities. 1. the state of being ; confusion; uncertainty. 2. something that : a case plagued with perplexities. 3. a tangled, involved, or confused condition or situation. /pəˈplɛksɪtɪ/ noun (pl) -ties 1. the state of being perplexed 2. the state of being intricate or complicated 3. something that perplexes […]


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