mystification

[mis-tuh-fahy] Origin

mys·ti·fy

[mis-tuh-fahy]
verb (used with object), mys·ti·fied, mys·ti·fy·ing.
1.
to perplex (a person) by playing upon the person's credulity; bewilder purposely.
2.
to involve in mystery or obscurity.

Origin:
1805–15; < French mystifier, equivalent to mysti- (irregular combining form of mystique mystic or mystère mystery1) + -fier -fy

mys·ti·fi·ca·tion, noun
mys·ti·fied·ly, adverb
mys·ti·fi·er, noun
mys·ti·fy·ing·ly, adverb
o·ver·mys·ti·fi·ca·tion, noun
EXPAND
o·ver·mys·ti·fy, verb (used with object), o·ver·mys·ti·fied, o·ver·mys·ti·fy·ing.
un·mys·ti·fied, adjective
COLLAPSE


1. fool, mislead, elude, puzzle.

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
Cite This Source Link To mystification

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Mystification is always a great word to know.
So is slumgullion. Does it mean:
a stew of meat, vegetables, potatoes, etc.
a children's mummer's parade, as on the Fourth of July, with prizes for the best costumes.
Collins
World English Dictionary
mystify (ˈmɪstɪˌfaɪ)
 
vb , -fies, -fying, -fied
1.  to confuse, bewilder, or puzzle
2.  to make mysterious or obscure
 
[C19: from French mystifier, from mystèremystery1 or mystiquemystic]
 
mystifi'cation
 
n
 
'mystifier
 
n
 
'mystifying
 
adj
 
'mystifyingly
 
adv

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History

mystification
1815, from Fr. mystification, from mystifier (see mystify).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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