Hypertext Webster Gateway: "Puzzle"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Puzzle \Puz"zle\, n. [For opposal, in the sense of problem. See
{Oppose}, {Pose}, v.]
1. Something which perplexes or embarrasses; especially, a
toy or a problem contrived for testing ingenuity; also,
something exhibiting marvelous skill in making.
2. The state of being puzzled; perplexity; as, to be in a
puzzle.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Puzzle \Puz"zle\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Puzzled}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Puzzling}.]
1. To perplex; to confuse; to embarrass; to put to a stand;
to nonplus.
A very shrewd disputant in those points is dexterous
in puzzling others. --Dr. H. More.
He is perpetually puzzled and perplexed amidst his
own blunders. --Addison.
2. To make intricate; to entangle.
They disentangle from the puzzled skein. --Cowper.
The ways of Heaven are dark and intricate, Puzzled
in mazes, and perplexed with error. --Addison.
3. To solve by ingenuity, as a puzzle; -- followed by out;
as, to puzzle out a mystery.
Syn: To embarrass; perplex; confuse; bewilder; confound. See
{Embarrass}.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Puzzle \Puz"zle\, v. i.
1. To be bewildered, or perplexed.
A puzzling fool, that heeds nothing. --L'Estrange.
2. To work, as at a puzzle; as, to puzzle over a problem.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
puzzle
n 1: a particularly baffling problem that is said to have a
correct solution; "he loved to solve chessmate puzzles";
"that's a real puzzler" [syn: {puzzler}, {mystifier}]
2: a toy that tests your ingenuity
v 1: be a mystery or bewildering to: "This beats me!" "Got me--I
don't know the answer!" [syn: {perplex}, {get}, {mystify},
{baffle}, {beat}, {bewilder}, {flummox}, {stupefy}, {stupify},
{nonplus}, {gravel}, {amaze}, {dumbfound}]
2: be uncertain about; think about without fully understanding
or being able to decide; "We puzzled over her sudden
departure"
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