Hypertext Webster Gateway: "perplexing"

From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)

Perplex \Per*plex"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Perplexed}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Perplexing}.] [L. perplexari. See {Perplex}, a.]
1. To involve; to entangle; to make intricate or complicated,
and difficult to be unraveled or understood; as, to
perplex one with doubts.

No artful wildness to perplex the scene. --Pope.

What was thought obscure, perplexed, and too hard
for our weak parts, will lie open to the
understanding in a fair view. --Locke.

2. To embarrass; to puzzle; to distract; to bewilder; to
confuse; to trouble with ambiguity, suspense, or anxiety.
``Perplexd beyond self-explication.'' --Shak.

We are perplexed, but not in despair. --2 Cor. iv.
8.

We can distinguish no general truths, or at least
shall be apt to perplex the mind. --Locke.

3. To plague; to vex; to tormen. --Glanvill.

Syn: To entangle; involve; complicate; embarrass; puzzle;
bewilder; confuse; distract. See {Embarrass}.

From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)

Perplexing \Per*plex"ing\, a.
Embarrassing; puzzling; troublesome. ``Perplexing thoughts.''
--Milton.

From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)

perplexing
adj : lacking clarity of meaning; causing confusion or perplexity;
"sent confusing signals to Iraq"; "perplexing to
someone who knew nothing about it"; "a puzzling
statement" [syn: {confusing}, {puzzling}]


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