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perplex
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English Dictionary: perplex by the DICT Development Group
3 results for perplex
From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
perplex
v
  1. be a mystery or bewildering to; "This beats me!"; "Got me-- I don't know the answer!"; "a vexing problem"; "This question really stuck me"
    Synonym(s): perplex, vex, stick, get, puzzle, mystify, baffle, beat, pose, bewilder, flummox, stupefy, nonplus, gravel, amaze, dumbfound
  2. make more complicated; "There was a new development that complicated the matter"
    Synonym(s): complicate, perplex
    Antonym(s): simplify
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]:
   Perplex \Per*plex"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Perplexed}; p. pr. &
      vb. n. {Perplexing}.] [L. perplexari. See {Perplex}, a.]
      1. To involve; to entangle; to make intricate or complicated,
            and difficult to be unraveled or understood; as, to
            perplex one with doubts.
  
                     No artful wildness to perplex the scene. --Pope.
  
                     What was thought obscure, perplexed, and too hard
                     for our weak parts, will lie open to the
                     understanding in a fair view.            --Locke.
  
      2. To embarrass; to puzzle; to distract; to bewilder; to
            confuse; to trouble with ambiguity, suspense, or anxiety.
            [bd]Perplexd beyond self-explication.[b8] --Shak.
  
                     We are perplexed, but not in despair. --2 Cor. iv.
                                                                              8.
  
                     We can distinguish no general truths, or at least
                     shall be apt to perplex the mind.      --Locke.
  
      3. To plague; to vex; to tormen. --Glanvill.
  
      Syn: To entangle; involve; complicate; embarrass; puzzle;
               bewilder; confuse; distract. See {Embarrass}.

From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]:
   Perplex \Per*plex"\, a. [L. perplexus entangled, intricate; per
      + plectere, plexum, to plait, braid: cf. F. perplexe. See
      {Per-}, and {Plait}.]
      Intricate; difficult. [Obs.] --Glanvill.
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