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mystify

 - 3 dictionary results

mys⋅ti⋅fy

  [mis-tuh-fahy]
Use mystify in a Sentence
–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

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

Synonyms:
1. fool, mislead, elude, puzzle.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To mystify
mys·ti·fy   (mĭs'tə-fī')   
tr.v.   mys·ti·fied, mys·ti·fy·ing, mys·ti·fies

  1. To confuse or puzzle mentally. See Synonyms at puzzle.

  2. To make obscure or mysterious.


[French mystifier : mystère, mystery (from Latin mystērium; see mystery1) + -fier, -fy.]
mys'ti·fi'er n., mys'ti·fy'ing·ly adv.
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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