Dictionary

puzzle en · NOUN

Pronunciation

• /ˈpʊzəl/ (Northern-England)
• [ˈpʊzɫ̩] (Northern-England)
• /ˈpɐzəl/ (Australia, New-Zealand)
• (British-Columbia, Canada) audio
• [ˈpɐ̞zɫ̩] (Australia, New-Zealand)
• /ˈpʌzəl/ (Canada, General-American, Received-Pronunciation)
• [ˈpʌzɫ̩] (Canada, General-American, Received-Pronunciation)
• pŭzʹ(ə)l

Etymology

The verb, of uncertain origin, is attested first. Apparently cognate with Scots pousle, pouzle, poozle (“to trifle; poke or potter around aimlessly; search about with uncertainty”), Saterland Frisian puzelje (“to work hard and continuously”), West Frisian peuzelje (“to trifle, work slowly; eat slowly and daintifully, snack”), Dutch peuzelen (“to perform insignificant work, dawdle; pick at, eat with relish in small pieces, snack”), German Low German pusseln (“to tinker, fiddle; trifle”) and pöseln (“to work hard, toil; to slave away; suffer at work; work slowly and ineffectively”), German posseln, bosseln (“to perform trivial work, tinker”), Danish pusle (“to busy oneself with light work or chores; to be occupied with a task requiring ingenuity, care, and patience; to tinker”), Swedish pyssla (“to do light work; tinker; putter or potter around”), Norwegian Nynorsk pusla, putla (“to potter about”), Faroese putla (“to trifle; potter about; do one's work slowly; be dilatory”), Faroese puss (“damage, trick”). * An early form of the word is pusle, which is similar to Old English puslian (“to pick out the best bits, carefully select, cull”). It is possible that the meaning of the word evolved from “to pick out the best bits”, to “to think long and carefully in bewilderment while choosing what to pick out”, to “to think long and carefully in bewilderment”. However, there is no evidence in Middle English or modern English of any intermediate words with these meanings. * Alternatively, it has been suggested that the word is from pose (“(obsolete) to interrogate, question”) + -le (frequentative suffix). However, the Oxford English Dictionary notes that early forms of the word are all spelled with -u-, and that a sound change in Middle English from ō to u “is not easily accounted for”. * Finally, it has been suggested that the past participle form of the word is attested by Middle English poselet. This is thought to be unlikely by the Oxford English Dictionary as poselet is attested in only one quotation with the meaning “jostled, pushed”, which does not have any connection with the current senses of the word. The noun appears to be derived from the verb.

Meanings

1. (uncountable) The state of feeling confused or mystified because one cannot understand a complicated matter, a problem, etc.; bewilderment, confusion; (countable) often in in a puzzle: an instance of this.
   • My lady—your ladyship. It sounds very strange, and as if it was not natural. I never thought of it before; but, now you have named it, I am all in a puzzle. 1851–1853, [Elizabeth Gaskell], “‘Your Ladyship’”, in Cranford. […], 1st American edition, New York, N.Y.: Harper & Brothers, […], published 1853, →OCLC, page 145:
   • Certainly, Men in Great Fortunes, are ſtrangers to themſelues, and vvhile they are in the puſle of buſineſſe, they haue no time to tend their Health, either of Body, or Minde. 1625, Francis [Bacon], “Of Great Place”, in The Essayes […], 3rd edition, London: […] Iohn Haviland for Hanna Barret, →OCLC, pages 55–56:
   • She stopt, felt herself getting into a puzzle, and could not be prevailed on to add another word, not by dint of several minutes of supplication and waiting. 1814 May 9, [Jane Austen], chapter III, in Mansfield Park: […], volume III, London: […] [George Sidney] for T[homas] Egerton, […], →OCLC, page 66:
2. (countable) A thing such as a complicated matter or a problem which is difficult to make sense of or understand; also, a person who is difficult to make sense of or understand; an enigma.
   • He went away on the word, leaving me with a new mystery to think of, a new puzzle to grapple with. 1897, Bram Stoker, “Dr. Seward’s Diary—continued”, in Dracula, New York, N.Y.: Modern Library, →OCLC, chapter XIII, page 182:
   • Where he went after he left the house is a puzzle.
   • To the laſt puzzle propounded, vvhether theſe Archei [vital forces believed to be responsible for alchemical reactions within living bodies] be ſo many ſprigs of the common Soul of the vvorld, or particular ſubſiſtencies of themſelves; there is no great inconvenience in acknovvledging that it may be either vvay. 1655, Henry More, chapter XI, in An Antidote against Atheism, or, An Appeal to the Naturall Faculties of the Minde of Man, whether There Be Not a God. … The Second Edition Corrected and Enlarged: With an Appendix thereunto Annexed., 2nd edition, London: […] J. Flesher, and are to be sold by William Morden […], →OCLC, book III, page 376:
   • About the painting I have a great puzzle in my head between [George] Vertue, Mr. D'Urry, and Bishop Tanner [Thomas Tanner?]. 1760 September 2 (date written), Thomas Gray, “[Essays.] Letter to [Horace] Walpole on His ‘Lives of the Painters’.”, in Edmund Gosse, editor, The Works of Thomas Gray in Prose and Verse. […], volume I (Poems, Journals, and Essays), London: Macmillan and Co., published 1884, →OCLC, page 306:
   • Woman's heart and mind are insoluble puzzles to the male. Murder might be condoned or explained, and yet some smaller offence might rankle. 1924 November 8, Arthur Conan Doyle, “The Adventure of the Illustrious Client”, in The Case Book of Sherlock Holmes, New York, N.Y.: A[lbert] L[evi] Burt Company, published June 1927, →OCLC, pages 21–22:
   • He is a puzzle to the servants, who are fearful of being too obsequious, or not civil enough, to him. 1833, Elia [pseudonym; Charles Lamb], “Poor Relations”, in The Last Essays of Elia. […], London: Edward Moxon, […], →OCLC, page 11:
3. (countable) Often preceded by a descriptive word: a game or toy, or a problem, requiring some effort to complete or work out, which is intended as a pastime and/or to test one's mental ability.
   • Upon the whole, he [a person in a cave] looked not unlike that ingenious puzzle, called a reel in a bottle, the marvel of children, (and of some grown people too, myself for one,) who can neither comprehend the mystery how it has got in, or how it is to be taken out. 1814 July 7, [Walter Scott], “More Explanation”, in Waverley; or, ’Tis Sixty Years Since. […], volume III, Edinburgh: […] James Ballantyne and Co. for Archibald Constable and Co.; London: Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme, and Brown, →OCLC, page 248:
   • Among other monstrosities in this lumber room was a largeish black japanned box, excellently and ingeniously made some sixty or seventy years ago, and fitted with every imaginable object. […] Everything was perfectly new, and the whole thing, when shut up, was as big as a small, but fat week-end bag. And inside, it fitted together like a puzzle. 1928, D[avid] H[erbert] Lawrence, chapter XI, in Lady Chatterley’s Lover, [Germany?]: Privately printed, →OCLC, pages 241–242:
   • crossword puzzle    jigsaw puzzle
4. (abbreviation, alt-of, countable, obsolete) Short for puzzle-peg (“a piece of wood secured under a dog's jaw to keep the dog's nose away from the ground so that it uses the scent in the air to track its quarry, and to prevent the dog from tearing the quarry once found”).
   alt of puzzle-peg
   • So I ſent for a carpenter, on the receipt of your recipe, and had a large Puzzle of Oak made for him [a dog], after the pattern of thoſe vvorn by the Squire's Pointers; and I have found it anſvver prodigiouſly. 1791, Caleb Cassock [pseudonym], “Letter the First”, in Geoffrey Gambado [pseudonym; Henry Bunbury], Annals of Horsemanship: Containing Accounts of Accidental Experiments, and Experimental Accidents, both Successful and Unsuccessful: […], London: […] W[illiam] Dickinson, […]; S. Hooper, […]; and J. Archer, and R. White, […], →OCLC, pages 1–2:

Forms

Deriveds

puzzlefest · empuzzle · puzzlery · puzzleless · subpuzzle · puzzle jug · puzzlehead · lawyer's puzzle · puzzlist · metapuzzle · puzzlemaster · puzzleheaded · puzzlesome · puzzle feeder · puzzle lock · piece of the puzzle · puzzle box · puzzle canon · puzzlelike · unpuzzle · bepuzzle · befuzzle · puzzle game · monkey puzzle · puzzlewit · puzzle cube · Puzzle Palace · puzzlehunt · puzzle-peg · puzzledom · puzzle ring · confuzzle

Descendants

퍼즐 · пазл · パズル

Hyponyms

twisty puzzle (types of games or toys, or problems) · xword puzzle (types of games or toys, or problems) · Frege's puzzle (types of games or toys, or problems) · zigsaw puzzle (types of games or toys, or problems) · 15 puzzle (types of games or toys, or problems) · burr puzzle (types of games or toys, or problems) · Chinese finger puzzle (types of games or toys, or problems) · floor puzzle (types of games or toys, or problems) · Chinese puzzle (types of games or toys, or problems) · Parsons puzzle (types of games or toys, or problems) · jigsaw puzzle (types of games or toys, or problems) · food puzzle (types of games or toys, or problems) · vanishing puzzle (types of games or toys, or problems) · crossword puzzle (types of games or toys, or problems)

Synonyms

mystery · poser · perplexity · brainteaser · anyone's guess · bafflement · crux · conundrum · anybody's guess

Translations (162)

ka თავსატეხი თამაში (game or toy, or problem, requiring some effort to complete or work out, which is intended as a pastime and/or to test one’s mental ability) · ko 퍼즐 (game or toy, or problem, requiring some effort to complete or work out, which is intended as a pastime and/or to test one’s mental ability) · bg зага́дка (thing which is difficult to make sense of or understand) · sv gåta (thing which is difficult to make sense of or understand) · sa प्रहेलिका (thing which is difficult to make sense of or understand) · mk за́гатка (thing which is difficult to make sense of or understand) · cmn 謎 /谜 (thing which is difficult to make sense of or understand) · hu rejtvény (game or toy, or problem, requiring some effort to complete or work out, which is intended as a pastime and/or to test one’s mental ability) · hy գլուխկոտրուկ (thing which is difficult to make sense of or understand) · uz chiston (thing which is difficult to make sense of or understand) · ur پَہیلی (thing which is difficult to make sense of or understand) · de Puzzle (game or toy, or problem, requiring some effort to complete or work out, which is intended as a pastime and/or to test one’s mental ability) · my စကားထာ (thing which is difficult to make sense of or understand) · sk hlavolam (game or toy, or problem, requiring some effort to complete or work out, which is intended as a pastime and/or to test one’s mental ability) · my ပဟေဠိ (thing which is difficult to make sense of or understand) · km ល្បែងផ្គុំរូប (game or toy, or problem, requiring some effort to complete or work out, which is intended as a pastime and/or to test one’s mental ability) · bg главоблъ́сканица (game or toy, or problem, requiring some effort to complete or work out, which is intended as a pastime and/or to test one’s mental ability) · hu talány (thing which is difficult to make sense of or understand) · ja 難題 (thing which is difficult to make sense of or understand) · mk за́гатка (game or toy, or problem, requiring some effort to complete or work out, which is intended as a pastime and/or to test one’s mental ability) · tr bulmaca (thing which is difficult to make sense of or understand) · pt desafio (game or toy, or problem, requiring some effort to complete or work out, which is intended as a pastime and/or to test one’s mental ability) · nl puzzel (game or toy, or problem, requiring some effort to complete or work out, which is intended as a pastime and/or to test one’s mental ability) · el γρίφος (game or toy, or problem, requiring some effort to complete or work out, which is intended as a pastime and/or to test one’s mental ability) · bho पहेली (thing which is difficult to make sense of or understand) · lv noslēpums (thing which is difficult to make sense of or understand) · lv mīkla (thing which is difficult to make sense of or understand) · hi समस्या (thing which is difficult to make sense of or understand) · fr casse-tête (game or toy, or problem, requiring some effort to complete or work out, which is intended as a pastime and/or to test one’s mental ability) · tg муаммо (thing which is difficult to make sense of or understand) · ga fadhb (game or toy, or problem, requiring some effort to complete or work out, which is intended as a pastime and/or to test one’s mental ability) · pt enigma (thing which is difficult to make sense of or understand) · ar أُحْجِيَّة (thing which is difficult to make sense of or understand) · th ปริศนา (game or toy, or problem, requiring some effort to complete or work out, which is intended as a pastime and/or to test one’s mental ability) · fr jeu de patience (game or toy, or problem, requiring some effort to complete or work out, which is intended as a pastime and/or to test one’s mental ability) · ko 짝맞추기 (game or toy, or problem, requiring some effort to complete or work out, which is intended as a pastime and/or to test one’s mental ability) · hi रहस्य (thing which is difficult to make sense of or understand) · ja 難問 (thing which is difficult to make sense of or understand) · kix thǖyēu (thing which is difficult to make sense of or understand) · ru пазл (game or toy, or problem, requiring some effort to complete or work out, which is intended as a pastime and/or to test one’s mental ability) · hy գլուխկոտրուկ (game or toy, or problem, requiring some effort to complete or work out, which is intended as a pastime and/or to test one’s mental ability) · fi arvoitus (thing which is difficult to make sense of or understand) · is púsl (game or toy, or problem, requiring some effort to complete or work out, which is intended as a pastime and/or to test one’s mental ability) · sh zȁgonētka (thing which is difficult to make sense of or understand) · fi pulma (game or toy, or problem, requiring some effort to complete or work out, which is intended as a pastime and/or to test one’s mental ability) · tr muamma (thing which is difficult to make sense of or understand) · pt quebra-cabeça (game or toy, or problem, requiring some effort to complete or work out, which is intended as a pastime and/or to test one’s mental ability) · ba башватҡыс (thing which is difficult to make sense of or understand) · fa-ira لُغَز (thing which is difficult to make sense of or understand) · nl raadsel (game or toy, or problem, requiring some effort to complete or work out, which is intended as a pastime and/or to test one’s mental ability) · vi sự khó xử (thing which is difficult to make sense of or understand) · es puzle (game or toy, or problem, requiring some effort to complete or work out, which is intended as a pastime and/or to test one’s mental ability) · es rompecabezas (game or toy, or problem, requiring some effort to complete or work out, which is intended as a pastime and/or to test one’s mental ability) · ru головоло́мка (game or toy, or problem, requiring some effort to complete or work out, which is intended as a pastime and/or to test one’s mental ability) · hi मुअम्मा (thing which is difficult to make sense of or understand) · el αίνιγμα (thing which is difficult to make sense of or understand) · ko 난문 (thing which is difficult to make sense of or understand) · et mõistatus (thing which is difficult to make sense of or understand) · tr bulmaca (game or toy, or problem, requiring some effort to complete or work out, which is intended as a pastime and/or to test one’s mental ability) · pl łamigłówka (game or toy, or problem, requiring some effort to complete or work out, which is intended as a pastime and/or to test one’s mental ability) · lt mįslė (thing which is difficult to make sense of or understand) · ja パズル (game or toy, or problem, requiring some effort to complete or work out, which is intended as a pastime and/or to test one’s mental ability) · hu fejtörő (game or toy, or problem, requiring some effort to complete or work out, which is intended as a pastime and/or to test one’s mental ability) · bn ধাঁধা (thing which is difficult to make sense of or understand) · ar مُعْضِلَة (thing which is difficult to make sense of or understand) · nl mysterie (thing which is difficult to make sense of or understand) · ug تېپىشماق (thing which is difficult to make sense of or understand) · cs záhada (thing which is difficult to make sense of or understand) · de Geduldspiel (game or toy, or problem, requiring some effort to complete or work out, which is intended as a pastime and/or to test one’s mental ability) · nb gåte (thing which is difficult to make sense of or understand) · ko 난제 (thing which is difficult to make sense of or understand) · fa-ira چیسْتان (thing which is difficult to make sense of or understand) · nl raadsel (thing which is difficult to make sense of or understand) · hy առեղծված (thing which is difficult to make sense of or understand) · th ปริศนา (thing which is difficult to make sense of or understand) · cs hlavolam (game or toy, or problem, requiring some effort to complete or work out, which is intended as a pastime and/or to test one’s mental ability) · ro enigmă (thing which is difficult to make sense of or understand) · hu rejtély (thing which is difficult to make sense of or understand) · cmn 難題 /难题 (thing which is difficult to make sense of or understand) · cmn 猜謎游戲 /猜谜游戏 (game or toy, or problem, requiring some effort to complete or work out, which is intended as a pastime and/or to test one’s mental ability) · it mistero (thing which is difficult to make sense of or understand) · my အမေးပုစ္ဆာ (thing which is difficult to make sense of or understand) · cy pos (thing which is difficult to make sense of or understand) · ur مُعَمَّا (thing which is difficult to make sense of or understand) · fi pähkinä (game or toy, or problem, requiring some effort to complete or work out, which is intended as a pastime and/or to test one’s mental ability) · kmr muema (thing which is difficult to make sense of or understand) · tg чистон (thing which is difficult to make sense of or understand) · fr mystère (thing which is difficult to make sense of or understand) · ko 수수께끼 (thing which is difficult to make sense of or understand) · mn оньсого (thing which is difficult to make sense of or understand) · az müəmma (thing which is difficult to make sense of or understand) · el γρίφος (thing which is difficult to make sense of or understand) · es enigma (thing which is difficult to make sense of or understand) · uz muammo (thing which is difficult to make sense of or understand) · tt башваткыч (thing which is difficult to make sense of or understand) · sh zȁgonētka (game or toy, or problem, requiring some effort to complete or work out, which is intended as a pastime and/or to test one’s mental ability) · be зага́дка (thing which is difficult to make sense of or understand) · uz jumboq (thing which is difficult to make sense of or understand) · ga tomhas (game or toy, or problem, requiring some effort to complete or work out, which is intended as a pastime and/or to test one’s mental ability) · hy հանելուկ (thing which is difficult to make sense of or understand) · ps معما (thing which is difficult to make sense of or understand) · hu türelemjáték (game or toy, or problem, requiring some effort to complete or work out, which is intended as a pastime and/or to test one’s mental ability) · hi राज़ (thing which is difficult to make sense of or understand) · uk зага́дка (thing which is difficult to make sense of or understand) · km បណ្ដៅ (thing which is difficult to make sense of or understand) · sk záhada (thing which is difficult to make sense of or understand) · sh за̏гоне̄тка (game or toy, or problem, requiring some effort to complete or work out, which is intended as a pastime and/or to test one’s mental ability) · kmr çiştan (thing which is difficult to make sense of or understand) · mn ᠣᠨᠢᠰᠤᠭ᠎ᠠ (thing which is difficult to make sense of or understand) · ar أُحْجِيَّة (game or toy, or problem, requiring some effort to complete or work out, which is intended as a pastime and/or to test one’s mental ability) · da gåde (thing which is difficult to make sense of or understand) · hi पहेली (thing which is difficult to make sense of or understand) · bn সমস্যা (thing which is difficult to make sense of or understand) · cmn 智力游戲 /智力游戏 (game or toy, or problem, requiring some effort to complete or work out, which is intended as a pastime and/or to test one’s mental ability) · bg пъ́зел (game or toy, or problem, requiring some effort to complete or work out, which is intended as a pastime and/or to test one’s mental ability) · hi भेद (thing which is difficult to make sense of or understand) · ar لُغْز (thing which is difficult to make sense of or understand) · fa-ira مُعَمَّا (thing which is difficult to make sense of or understand) · vi sự bối rối (thing which is difficult to make sense of or understand) · sv pussel (game or toy, or problem, requiring some effort to complete or work out, which is intended as a pastime and/or to test one’s mental ability) · et mõistatus (game or toy, or problem, requiring some effort to complete or work out, which is intended as a pastime and/or to test one’s mental ability) · fr énigme (thing which is difficult to make sense of or understand) · es rompecabezas (thing which is difficult to make sense of or understand) · ur راز (thing which is difficult to make sense of or understand) · uk пазл (game or toy, or problem, requiring some effort to complete or work out, which is intended as a pastime and/or to test one’s mental ability) · ba башватҡыс (game or toy, or problem, requiring some effort to complete or work out, which is intended as a pastime and/or to test one’s mental ability) · kk жұмбақ (thing which is difficult to make sense of or understand) · ca trencaclosques (thing which is difficult to make sense of or understand) · de Rätsel (thing which is difficult to make sense of or understand) · de Geduldsspiel (game or toy, or problem, requiring some effort to complete or work out, which is intended as a pastime and/or to test one’s mental ability) · fi tehtävä (game or toy, or problem, requiring some effort to complete or work out, which is intended as a pastime and/or to test one’s mental ability) · fr puzzle (game or toy, or problem, requiring some effort to complete or work out, which is intended as a pastime and/or to test one’s mental ability) · ur بھید (thing which is difficult to make sense of or understand) · ru зага́дка (thing which is difficult to make sense of or understand) · ky табышмак (thing which is difficult to make sense of or understand) · it rompicapo (game or toy, or problem, requiring some effort to complete or work out, which is intended as a pastime and/or to test one’s mental ability) · ka თავსატეხი (thing which is difficult to make sense of or understand) · sv mysterium (thing which is difficult to make sense of or understand) · fa-ira پازِل (game or toy, or problem, requiring some effort to complete or work out, which is intended as a pastime and/or to test one’s mental ability) · id tebakan (game or toy, or problem, requiring some effort to complete or work out, which is intended as a pastime and/or to test one’s mental ability) · ga puzal (game or toy, or problem, requiring some effort to complete or work out, which is intended as a pastime and/or to test one’s mental ability) · sq enigmë (thing which is difficult to make sense of or understand) · lt galvosūkis (game or toy, or problem, requiring some effort to complete or work out, which is intended as a pastime and/or to test one’s mental ability) · gd dubh-fhacal (thing which is difficult to make sense of or understand) · ja 謎 (thing which is difficult to make sense of or understand) · tt табышмак (thing which is difficult to make sense of or understand) · km ប្រស្នា (thing which is difficult to make sense of or understand) · uk головоло́мка (game or toy, or problem, requiring some effort to complete or work out, which is intended as a pastime and/or to test one’s mental ability) · pl zagadka (thing which is difficult to make sense of or understand) · he חִידָה (thing which is difficult to make sense of or understand) · ar لُغْز (game or toy, or problem, requiring some effort to complete or work out, which is intended as a pastime and/or to test one’s mental ability) · sl uganka (thing which is difficult to make sense of or understand) · uz topishmoq (thing which is difficult to make sense of or understand) · ru затрудне́ние (thing which is difficult to make sense of or understand) · be галавало́мка (game or toy, or problem, requiring some effort to complete or work out, which is intended as a pastime and/or to test one’s mental ability) · ca trencaclosques (game or toy, or problem, requiring some effort to complete or work out, which is intended as a pastime and/or to test one’s mental ability) · sl uganka (game or toy, or problem, requiring some effort to complete or work out, which is intended as a pastime and/or to test one’s mental ability) · ar بَازْل (game or toy, or problem, requiring some effort to complete or work out, which is intended as a pastime and/or to test one’s mental ability) · it rompicapo (thing which is difficult to make sense of or understand) · nl hersenbreker (game or toy, or problem, requiring some effort to complete or work out, which is intended as a pastime and/or to test one’s mental ability) · sh за̏гоне̄тка (thing which is difficult to make sense of or understand) · mi panga (game or toy, or problem, requiring some effort to complete or work out, which is intended as a pastime and/or to test one’s mental ability)

wikipedia: Middle English · wikipedia: Oxford English Dictionary

puzzle en · VERB

Pronunciation

• /ˈpʊzəl/ (Northern-England)
• [ˈpʊzɫ̩] (Northern-England)
• /ˈpɐzəl/ (Australia, New-Zealand)
• (British-Columbia, Canada) audio
• [ˈpɐ̞zɫ̩] (Australia, New-Zealand)
• /ˈpʌzəl/ (Canada, General-American, Received-Pronunciation)
• [ˈpʌzɫ̩] (Canada, General-American, Received-Pronunciation)
• pŭzʹ(ə)l

Etymology

The verb, of uncertain origin, is attested first. Apparently cognate with Scots pousle, pouzle, poozle (“to trifle; poke or potter around aimlessly; search about with uncertainty”), Saterland Frisian puzelje (“to work hard and continuously”), West Frisian peuzelje (“to trifle, work slowly; eat slowly and daintifully, snack”), Dutch peuzelen (“to perform insignificant work, dawdle; pick at, eat with relish in small pieces, snack”), German Low German pusseln (“to tinker, fiddle; trifle”) and pöseln (“to work hard, toil; to slave away; suffer at work; work slowly and ineffectively”), German posseln, bosseln (“to perform trivial work, tinker”), Danish pusle (“to busy oneself with light work or chores; to be occupied with a task requiring ingenuity, care, and patience; to tinker”), Swedish pyssla (“to do light work; tinker; putter or potter around”), Norwegian Nynorsk pusla, putla (“to potter about”), Faroese putla (“to trifle; potter about; do one's work slowly; be dilatory”), Faroese puss (“damage, trick”). * An early form of the word is pusle, which is similar to Old English puslian (“to pick out the best bits, carefully select, cull”). It is possible that the meaning of the word evolved from “to pick out the best bits”, to “to think long and carefully in bewilderment while choosing what to pick out”, to “to think long and carefully in bewilderment”. However, there is no evidence in Middle English or modern English of any intermediate words with these meanings. * Alternatively, it has been suggested that the word is from pose (“(obsolete) to interrogate, question”) + -le (frequentative suffix). However, the Oxford English Dictionary notes that early forms of the word are all spelled with -u-, and that a sound change in Middle English from ō to u “is not easily accounted for”. * Finally, it has been suggested that the past participle form of the word is attested by Middle English poselet. This is thought to be unlikely by the Oxford English Dictionary as poselet is attested in only one quotation with the meaning “jostled, pushed”, which does not have any connection with the current senses of the word. The noun appears to be derived from the verb.

Meanings

1. (also, qualifier:often passive voice, reflexive, transitive) To cause (oneself or someone, or their mind, etc.) to feel confused or mystified because they cannot understand a complicated matter, a problem, etc.; to confuse, to mystify, to perplex.
   • [H]e has a very ſmart VVit, and is a very ſhrevvd Diſputant in thoſe Points himſelf ſeems moſt puzzled in, and is therein very dexterous in puzzling others, if they be not thorough-paced Speculators in thoſe great Theories. 1668, Franciscus Euistor the Palæopolite [pseudonym; Henry More], “The First Dialogue”, in Divine Dialogues, Containing Sundry Disquisitions & Instructions Concerning the Attributes of God and His Providence in the World. […], London: […] James Flesher, →OCLC, paragraph II, page 7:
   • Mens daily occaſions for themſelves or friends, and the neceſities of common life, require the doing of a thouſand things vvithin the compaſs of a fevv dayes, for vvhich it vvould puzzle the beſt Textman that liveth; readily to bethink himself of a ſentence in the Bible, clear enough to ſatisfie a ſcrupulous conſcience of the lavvfulneſs and expediency of vvhat he is about to do; […] 1634 August 31 (date delivered; Gregorian calendar), Robert Sanderson, “[Ad Clerum.] The Fourth Sermon. At a Metropolitical Visitation at Grantham, Lincoln, 22 August 1634.”, in XXXIV Sermons. […], 5th edition, London: […] [A. Clark] for A. Seil, and are to be sold by G. Sawbridge, […], published 1671, →OCLC, paragraph 15, page 65:
   • Vain ſcience! thou aſſiſts us in no caſe of this kind—and thou puzzleſt us in every one. 1762, [Laurence Sterne], chapter XXIX, in The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman, volume VI, London: […] T. Becket and P. A. Dehondt, […], →OCLC, page 117:
   • This ſort of Arguments I have alvvays found dry and jejune; and, as they are not ſuited to my vvay of Thinking, they may perhaps puzzle, but never vvill convince me. 1732, George Berkeley, “The Fourth Dialogue”, in Alciphron: Or, The Minute Philosopher. […], volume I, London: […] J[acob] Tonson […], →OCLC, section II, page 208:
   • You're alone all the time / Does it ever puzzle you? / Have you asked why you seem to fall in love, out again? / Do you ever really love, or just pretend? 1971, The Stylistics, “Stop, Look, Listen (To Your Heart)”, in The Stylistics:
   • Nor is it sufficient that a man, who sets up for a judge in criticism, should have perused the authors above-mentioned, unless he has also a clear and logical head. Without this talent he is perpetually puzzled and perplexed amidst his own blunders, mistakes the sense of those he would confute, or, if he chances to think right, does not know how to convey his thoughts to another with clearness and perspicuity. 1712 February 12 (Gregorian calendar), [Joseph Addison], “FRIDAY, February 2, 1711–1712”, in The Spectator, number 291; republished in Alexander Chalmers, editor, The Spectator; a New Edition, […], volume III, New York, N.Y.: D[aniel] Appleton & Company, 1853, →OCLC, page 451:
   • After they had puzzled themſelves here, as I ſaid, tvvo or three Days, one of the Lieutenants and a Man vvith him, ſeeing a Hut or Houſe of a Chilian at ſome Diſtance, rode avvay tovvards it; […] 1725, [Daniel Defoe], “Part II”, in A New Voyage Round the World, by a Course Never Sailed before. […], London: […] A[rthur] Bettesworth, […]; and W. Mears, […], →OCLC, page 157:
   • [T]he court, thus pushed, tried words, and said everything it could think of to fill the time, […] like a schoolmaster puzzled by a hard sum, who reads the context with emphasis. 1870, Ralph Waldo Emerson, “Eloquence”, in Society and Solitude. Twelve Chapters, Boston, Mass.: Fields, Osgood, & Co., →OCLC, pages 77–78:
   • The study of Classical mythology amused him and he made an enormous genealogical chart, in circular form, with the stems raying out from our earliest ancestor Chaos, the father of Father Time, and spreading to a confused perimeter thickly strewn with nymphs and kinds and heroes. He used to delight in puzzling the mythological experts, […] 1934, Robert Graves, chapter VI, in I, Claudius: […], New York, N.Y.: The Modern Library, →OCLC, page 77:
   • The case was that of a murder. It had an element of mystery about it, however, which was puzzling the authorities. A turban and loincloth soaked in blood had been found; also a staff. [1927], F[anny] E[mily] Penny, chapter 4, in Pulling the Strings, London: Hodder and Stoughton, →OCLC:
   • When it comes to God's existence, I'm not an atheist and I'm not an agnostic. I'm an acrostic. The whole thing puzzles me. 2004, George Carlin, “Bits and Pieces”, in When Will Jesus Bring the Pork Chops?, New York, N.Y.: Hyperion Books, →ISBN, page 261:
   • Still, this matter of the sails much puzzleth me, and I have often felt a desire to go from one port to another, by sea, in order to witness it. 1840, [James Fenimore Cooper], chapter IV, in Mercedes of Castile: Or, The Voyage to Cathay. […], volume I, Philadelphia, Pa.: Lea and Blanchard, →OCLC, page 60:
   • "Really, Mr. Collins," cried Elizabeth with some warmth, "you puzzle me exceedingly. If what I have hitherto said can appear to you in the form of encouragement, I know not how to express my refusal in such a way as may convince you of its being one." 1813 January 27, [Jane Austen], chapter XIX, in Pride and Prejudice: […], volume I, London: […] [George Sidney] for T[homas] Egerton, […], →OCLC, page 251:
2. (transitive) To use (one's brain or mind) to try to work out a complicated matter, a problem, etc.; also, to try to work out (a complicated matter, a problem, etc.).
   • VVhat haſt thou to do vvith Thought? Mind thy ovvn Buſineſs, and never puzzle thy Noddle vvith Thought. 1722 October 12 (first performance; Gregorian calendar), Susanna Cent-livre, The Artifice. A Comedy. […], London: […] T[homas] Payne, […], published 1723, →OCLC, Act III, scene [i], page 36:
   • Every time a woman wants to do well by her darling, she puzzles her brain to cipher out some scheme for getting it into my hands. 1870–1871 (date written), Mark Twain [pseudonym; Samuel Langhorne Clemens], chapter XV, in Roughing It, Hartford, Conn.: American Publishing Company [et al.], published 1872, →OCLC, page 124:
   • VVhich puſles the braine, and doth confound the ſence, / VVhich makes vs rather beare thoſe euilles vve haue, / Than flie to others that vve knovv knot of. c. 1599–1602 (date written), William Shake-speare, The Tragicall Historie of Hamlet, Prince of Denmarke: […] (First Quarto), London: […] [Valentine Simmes] for N[icholas] L[ing] and Iohn Trundell, published 1603, →OCLC, [Act III, scene i], signature E, recto:
   • Though I was angry with old Cotter for alluding to me as a child I puzzled my head to extract meaning from his unfinished sentences. 1904–1907 (date written), James Joyce, “The Sisters”, in Dubliners, London: Grant Richards, published June 1914, →OCLC, page 11:
   • […] I can't deny the mark upon his cheek, though I may puzzle the question between right and left. He may, or he may not, be Demetrius: […] a. 1812 (date written), Richard Cumberland, “The False Demetrius”, in Frances Marianne [Cumberland] Jansen, editor, The Posthumous Dramatick Works of the Late Richard Cumberland, Esq. […], volume II, London: […] [F]or G[eorge] and W[illiam] Nicol, […]; by W[illiam] Bulmer and Co., […], published 1813, →OCLC, Act II, scene [ii], page 365:
3. (obsolete, transitive) To (intentionally) make (something) complicated or confused, and so difficult to resolve or understand; to confuse, to complicate.
   • Now this indifference puzzled Lady Penelope's game extremely, and irritated her desire to get at the bottom of Tyrrel's mystery, if there was one, and secure him to her own party. 1823 December 23 (indicated as 1824), [Walter Scott], “Table-talk”, in St Ronan’s Well. […], volume I, Edinburgh: […] [James Ballantyne and Co.] for Archibald Constable and Co.; London: Hurst, Robinson, and Co., →OCLC, page 123:
   • [T]hey are theſe Talkative Fools, vvhoſe Religion is only in vvord, and are debauched and vain in their Converſation, that (being ſo much admitted into the fellovv-ſhip of the godly) do puzzle the VVorld, blemiſh Chriſtianity, and grieve the ſincere. 1680, John Bunyan, The Pilgrim’s Progress from This World, to That which is to Come: […], 5th edition, Edinburgh: […] Iohn Cairns, […], →OCLC, page 83:
   • [H]e vvas heard vvith great attention, though his Parts vvere moſt prevalent in puzzling and perplexing that diſcourſe he meant to croſs. 1702, Edward [Hyde, 1st] Earl of Clarendon, book II, in The History of the Rebellion and Civil Wars in England, Begun in the Year 1641. […], volume I, Oxford, Oxfordshire: Printed at the [Sheldonian] Theater, page 110:
   • The VVays of Heav'n are dark and intricate, / Puzzled in Mazes, and perplext vvith Errors; / Our Underſtanding traces 'em in vain, / Loſt and bevvilder’d in the fruitleſs Search; […] 1712 (date written), [Joseph] Addison, Cato, a Tragedy. […], London: […] J[acob] Tonson, […], published 1713, →OCLC, Act I, scene i, page 2:
4. (obsolete, qualifier:chiefly passive voice, transitive) To cause (someone) to not know what to do due to some problem, situation, etc.; to bewilder, to confound, to perplex.
   • Benevolence? vvhich ſhall I be benevolent to; or vvhich firſt? I am puſſell'd in the choice. 1641 or 1642 (first performance), Richard Brome, A Joviall Crew: Or, The Merry Beggars. Presented in a Comedie, […], London: […] J[ames] Y[oung] for E[dward] D[od] and N[athaniel] E[kins] […], published 1652, →OCLC, Act III, signature [H4], recto:
   • VVhen the Turtle come aſhore, the Man that vvatches for them turns them on their backs, then hales them above high vvater mark, and leave them till the morning. A large Green Turtle vvith her vveight and ſtruggling vvill puzzle 2 Men to turn her. 1697, William Dampier, chapter V, in A New Voyage Round the World. […], London: […] James Knapton, […], →OCLC, page 105:
   • I ſay there is no darkneſſe but ignorance, in vvhich thou art more puzel'd then the Ægyptians in their fogge. c. 1601–1602 (date written), William Shakespeare, “Twelfe Night, or What You Will”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act IV, scene ii], page 271, column 1:
   • [W]e found ground at forty fadomes, many Snakes ſvvimming about our ſhips, vvhich (vvith the vvaters changing colour) aſſured us vve vvere neere the ſhoare (the laſt ſtorme had puzled us) […] 1638, Tho[mas] Herbert, “[First Sight of India]”, in Some Yeares Travels Into Divers Parts of Asia and Afrique. […], 2nd edition, London: […] R[ichard] Bi[sho]p for Iacob Blome and Richard Bishop, →OCLC, book I, page 34:
5. (intransitive) Often followed by about, over, or upon: to feel confused or mystified because one cannot understand a complicated matter, a problem, etc.
6. (intransitive) Often followed by about, over, or or upon: to think deeply in bewilderment to try to work out a complicated matter, a problem, etc.
   • We puzzled over the curious-shaped lock, but were unable to discover how the key should be inserted.
   • [B]oth I my ſelfe and divers vvhom I knovv, have pored and puſled vpon many an old Record and Evidence to ſatisfie our ſelves herein: […] 1605, M. N. [pseudonym; William Camden], “Surnames”, in Remaines of a Greater Worke, Concerning Britaine, […], London: […] G[eorge] E[ld] for Simon Waterson, →OCLC, page 93:
   • [O]ur Advocate, vvho puzzling on, betvveen his true and falſe Gods, hangs, like a falſe Teacher as he is, betvveen Heaven and Earth, in the Fool's Paradiſe of Pagan Philoſophy. 1741, William Warburton, “Section VIII”, in The Divine Legation of Moses […], volume II, part II, London: […] Fletcher Gyles, […], →OCLC, book V, page 35:
7. (intransitive) To search in a confused or mystified manner.
   • But what, are you puzzling in your pockets to seek your only memorial among old play bills, letters requesting a meeting of the Faculty, rules of the Speculative Society, syllabus' of lectures—all the miscellaneous contents of a young lawyer's pocket, which contains every thing but brieves and bank-notes? 1818 July 25, Jedediah Cleishbotham [pseudonym; Walter Scott], “I. Being Introductory.”, in Tales of My Landlord, Second Series, […] (The Heart of Mid-Lothian), volume I, Edinburgh: […] [James Ballantyne and Co.] for Archibald Constable and Company, →OCLC, page 45:
8. (intransitive) Followed by through: to solve a complicated matter, a problem, etc., by working through confusing or difficult matters.

Forms

Deriveds

puzzled · puzzlement · puzzlewit · puzzling · puzzle through · bepuzzle · unpuzzle · puzzle out · empuzzle · puzzler · puzzle-monkey · puzzle over · puzzleation

Synonyms

befuddle · empuzzle · flummox · baffound · dumbfound · embroil · flabbergaster · flabagast · bedevil · bemuse · knot · fuddle · baffle · perplex · bewilder · muddy · addle · stump · flurry · dazzle · vex · entangle · obfuscate · jumble · bemud · confound · confuddle · bumfuzzle · bamboozle · flabbergast · lose · muddle · disconcert · muddle · blind · confound · fluster · ravel · puzzle · discombobulate · ferhoodle · complicate · confuzzle · throw · stick · mix up · entangle · confuse

Translations (29)

es intrigar ((transitive) to cause (oneself, or someone or their mind, etc.) to feel confused or mystified because they cannot understand a complicated matter, a problem, etc.) · fi askarruttaa ((intransitive) to feel confused or mystified because one cannot understand a complicated matter, a problem, etc.) · nl verwarren ((transitive) to cause (oneself, or someone or their mind, etc.) to feel confused or mystified because they cannot understand a complicated matter, a problem, etc.) · fi koluta ((intransitive) to search in a confused or mystified manner) · sh сме̏сти ((transitive) to cause (oneself, or someone or their mind, etc.) to feel confused or mystified because they cannot understand a complicated matter, a problem, etc.) · fi pähkäillä ((intransitive) to think deeply in bewilderment to try to work out a complicated matter, a problem, etc.) · fi pohdiskella ((transitive) to use (one’s brain or mind) to try to work out a complicated matter, a problem, etc.; to try to work out (a complicated matter, a problem, etc.)) · pt desconcertar ((transitive) to cause (oneself, or someone or their mind, etc.) to feel confused or mystified because they cannot understand a complicated matter, a problem, etc.) · de verwirren ((transitive) to cause (oneself, or someone or their mind, etc.) to feel confused or mystified because they cannot understand a complicated matter, a problem, etc.) · es dejar perplejo ((transitive) to cause (oneself, or someone or their mind, etc.) to feel confused or mystified because they cannot understand a complicated matter, a problem, etc.) · fi pohdiskella ((intransitive) to think deeply in bewilderment to try to work out a complicated matter, a problem, etc.) · ar حَيَّرَ ((transitive) to cause (oneself, or someone or their mind, etc.) to feel confused or mystified because they cannot understand a complicated matter, a problem, etc.) · mi whakapōkaikaha ((transitive) to cause (oneself, or someone or their mind, etc.) to feel confused or mystified because they cannot understand a complicated matter, a problem, etc.) · fi pähkäillä ((transitive) to use (one’s brain or mind) to try to work out a complicated matter, a problem, etc.; to try to work out (a complicated matter, a problem, etc.)) · pt confundir ((transitive) to cause (oneself, or someone or their mind, etc.) to feel confused or mystified because they cannot understand a complicated matter, a problem, etc.) · fi ratkaista ((intransitive) to solve a complicated matter, a problem, etc., by working through confusing or difficult matters) · mi whakapōkīkī ((transitive) to cause (oneself, or someone or their mind, etc.) to feel confused or mystified because they cannot understand a complicated matter, a problem, etc.) · bg обърквам ((transitive) to cause (oneself, or someone or their mind, etc.) to feel confused or mystified because they cannot understand a complicated matter, a problem, etc.) · es desconcertar ((transitive) to cause (oneself, or someone or their mind, etc.) to feel confused or mystified because they cannot understand a complicated matter, a problem, etc.) · nl in de war brengen ((transitive) to cause (oneself, or someone or their mind, etc.) to feel confused or mystified because they cannot understand a complicated matter, a problem, etc.) · sh збу́нити ((transitive) to cause (oneself, or someone or their mind, etc.) to feel confused or mystified because they cannot understand a complicated matter, a problem, etc.) · fi haeskella ((intransitive) to search in a confused or mystified manner) · nl verbijsteren ((transitive) to cause (oneself, or someone or their mind, etc.) to feel confused or mystified because they cannot understand a complicated matter, a problem, etc.) · de durcheinander bringen ((transitive) to cause (oneself, or someone or their mind, etc.) to feel confused or mystified because they cannot understand a complicated matter, a problem, etc.) · bg озадачавам ((transitive) to cause (oneself, or someone or their mind, etc.) to feel confused or mystified because they cannot understand a complicated matter, a problem, etc.) · sh smȅsti ((transitive) to cause (oneself, or someone or their mind, etc.) to feel confused or mystified because they cannot understand a complicated matter, a problem, etc.) · sh zbúniti ((transitive) to cause (oneself, or someone or their mind, etc.) to feel confused or mystified because they cannot understand a complicated matter, a problem, etc.) · fi askarruttaa ((transitive) to cause (oneself, or someone or their mind, etc.) to feel confused or mystified because they cannot understand a complicated matter, a problem, etc.) · pt intrigar ((transitive) to cause (oneself, or someone or their mind, etc.) to feel confused or mystified because they cannot understand a complicated matter, a problem, etc.)

wikipedia: Middle English · wikipedia: Oxford English Dictionary