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perplex

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To perplex is defined as to confuse or complicate.

(verb)

An example of perplex is to challenge a class with a very difficult question.

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See perplex in Webster's New World College Dictionary

transitive verb

to make (a person) uncertain, doubtful, or hesitant; confuse; puzzle
to make intricate or complicated; make confusing or hard to understand: to perplex an issue

Origin: < ME perplex, perplexed < MFr perplexe < L perplexus, entangled, confused, involved < per, through + plexus, pp. of plectere, to twist, plait: see ply

noun

Rare, Archaic perplexity

Related Forms:

perplexing adjective
perplexingly adverb

See perplex in American Heritage Dictionary 4

transitive verb per·plexed, per·plex·ing, per·plex·es

To confuse or trouble with uncertainty or doubt. See Synonyms at puzzle.
To make confusedly intricate; complicate.

Origin:

Origin: Back-formation from Middle English perplexed, puzzled; see perplexed

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Related Forms:

per·plexˈing·ly adverb

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