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perplexity Definition

per·plex·ity (pər pleksə tē)

noun

  1. the condition of being perplexed; bewilderment; confusion
  2. pl. -·ties something that perplexes
  3. something that is perplexed, or complicated

Etymology: ME perplexite < MFr perplexité < LL perplexitas

perplexity Synonyms

perplexity

n.

  1. Uncertainty based on doubt

    bewilderment, confusion, quandary; see doubt 2, uncertainty 2.

  2. Difficulty causing uncertainty

    complication, crisis, emergency; see difficulty 2.

perplexity Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • remove: AL 243 Take Wittgenstein's philosophy as a whole as a way of removing perplexity.
  • cause: And thankful too that we have relatively few terms which, despite being partly useful, have a history of causing wholly unnecessary perplexity.
  • pose: In his view, the belief in the hereafter offers the only solution to the religious perplexities posed by the Holocaust.
  • express: Their eyes met, and his expressed perplexity and curiosity.
  • calculate: We also calculate the perplexity of the different user models.
  • have: Some there are, indeed, for whom the problem has no perplexities.

Adjective modifier

  • philosophical: Minimally, when this book is open, philosophical perplexities are there, right there, in front of readers ' eyes.
  • great: The man who is delivered from great perplexity, no matter by what means, feels himself relieved.
  • much: Martyn spent the rest of the evening in much perplexity on the subject.
  • many: If this consideration be borne in mind it will solve many difficulties, and remove many perplexities.
  • infinite: He went back to the shop front and stood surveying it in infinite perplexity.

Modifies a noun

  • result: Test set perplexity results using the British National Corpus indicate that the approach can improve the potential of statistical language modeling.
  • measure: The perplexity measure is commonly used as a measure of 'goodness ' of such a model.
perplexity Quotes

Either still I find Some imperfection in the chosen theme, Or see of absolute accomplishment Much wanting, so much wanting, in myself, That I recoil and droop, and seek repose In listlessness from vain perplexity, Unprofitably travelling towards the grave.

—Wordsworth,William

Browse dictionary entries near perplexity

  1. perplexing
  2. perplexed
  3. perplex
  4. Perpignan
  5. perpetuity
  6. perpetuation
  7. perpetuate
  8. perpetually
  9. perpetual motion
  10. perpetual calendar
  1. perquisite
  2. Perrault
  3. Perrier
  4. Perrin
  5. perron
  6. perry
  7. pers
  8. persalt
  9. perse
  10. persecute