baffle

baf·fle

Use baffle in a sentence

A math problem baffles a student.

verb

The definition of baffle is confuse.

An example of baffle is when a teacher confuses a student with a complicated math problem.

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MLA Style

"baffle." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 18 June 2019. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/Baffle>.

APA Style

baffle. (n.d.). Retrieved June 18th, 2019, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/Baffle

baffle

transitive verb

-·fled, -·fling

to confuse so as to keep from understanding or solving; puzzle; confound
to interfere with; hinder; impede
to check the interference of (low-frequency sound waves) in a radio, phonograph, etc. by the use of a baffle

Origin of baffle

16th-c. Scot; probably respelling (as duff for dough, Affleck for Auchinleck) of obsolete bauchle

Rare a baffling or being baffled
an obstructing device; specif.,
1. a wall or screen to hold back or turn aside the flow of liquids, gases, etc.
  also baf′fle·plate·
2. any of various devices designed to obstruct a rodent's access to a bird feeder
a mounting or partition used to check the transmission of sound waves between the front and rear of the speaker of a radio, phonograph, etc.

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MLA Style

"baffle." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 18 June 2019. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/Baffle>.

APA Style

baffle. (n.d.). Retrieved June 18th, 2019, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/Baffle

baffle

transitive verb

baf·fled, baf·fling, baf·fles

To confuse or perplex, especially so as to frustrate or prevent from taking action: a patient whose condition baffled the physicians.
To impede the force or movement of (a fluid).

noun

A usually static device that regulates the flow of a fluid or light.
A partition that prevents interference between sound waves in a loudspeaker.

Origin of baffle

Perhaps blend of Scottish Gaelic bauchle to denounce, revile publicly, French bafouer to ridicule

Related Forms:

baf′fle·ment
noun

baf′fler
noun

THE AMERICAN HERITAGE® DICTIONARY OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE, FIFTH EDITION by the Editors of the American Heritage Dictionaries. Copyright © 2016, 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Link/Cite

Link to this page

Cite this page

MLA Style

"baffle." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 18 June 2019. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/Baffle>.

APA Style

baffle. (n.d.). Retrieved June 18th, 2019, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/Baffle

Verb

(third-person singular simple present baffles, present participle baffling, simple past and past participle baffled)

To bewilder completely; to confuse or perplex. [from 17th c.]
I am baffled by the contradictions and omissions in the instructions.
(now rare) To foil; to thwart. [from 17th c.]
(intransitive) To struggle in vain. [from 19th c.]
A ship baffles with the winds.

Noun

(plural baffles)

A device used to dampen the effects of such things as sound, light, or fluid. Specifically, a baffle is a surface which is placed inside an open area to inhibit direct motion from one part to another, without preventing motion altogether.
Tanker trucks use baffles to keep the liquids inside from sloshing around.
An architectural feature designed to confuse enemies or make them vulnerable.

Origin

Origin uncertain.

English Wiktionary. Available under CC-BY-SA license.