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mystification

 - 3 dictionary results

mys⋅ti⋅fy

[mis-tuh-fahy]
–verb (used with object), -fied, -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; < F mystifier, equiv. to mysti- (irreg. comb. form of mystique mystic or mystère mystery 1 ) + -fier -fy


mys⋅ti⋅fi⋅ca⋅tion, noun
mys⋅ti⋅fied⋅ly, adverb
mys⋅ti⋅fi⋅er, noun
mys⋅ti⋅fy⋅ing⋅ly, adverb


1. fool, mislead, elude, puzzle.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To mystification
mys·ti·fi·ca·tion   (mĭs'tə-fĭ-kā'shən)   
n.  
  1. The act or an instance of mystifying.

  2. The fact or condition of being mystified.

  3. Something intended to mystify.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

mystify 
1814, from Fr. mystifier (1772), a verb formed irregularly from mystique "a mystic," from L. mysticus (see mystic).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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