English Explanatory Dictionary

perplex

English dictionary entry

Meanings

verb
  1. To cause to feel baffled; to puzzle.
  2. To involve; to entangle; to make intricate or complicated.
  3. To plague; to vex; to torment.
adj
  1. intricate; difficult
noun
  1. A difficulty.

Pronunciation

pərplĕksʹ /pɚˈplɛks/ pəplĕksʹ /pəˈplɛks/ en-us-perplex.ogg

Word forms

perplex perplexes perplexing perplexed more perplex most perplex

Etymology

From Old French, from Latin perplexus (“entangled, confused”), from per (“through”) + plexus, perfect passive participle of plectō (“plait, weave, braid”).

Related words

perplexable perplexation perplexed perplexedness perplexing perplexity perplexment

Derived words

perplexion perplexly unperplex perplex number
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