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Definition of puzzles - 2 dictionary results
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puz⋅zle
[puhz-uh
l] 
noun, verb, -zled, -zling.–noun
| 1. | a toy, problem, or other contrivance designed to amuse by presenting difficulties to be solved by ingenuity or patient effort. |
| 2. | something puzzling; a puzzling question, matter, or person. |
| 3. | a puzzled or perplexed condition; bewilderment. |
| 4. | a crossword puzzle: Did you do the puzzle in the newspaper today? |
| 5. | a jigsaw puzzle. |
–verb (used with object)
| 6. | to put (someone) at a loss; mystify; confuse; baffle: Her attitude puzzles me. |
| 7. | to frustrate or confound, as the understanding; perplex: The problem puzzled him for weeks. |
| 8. | to exercise (oneself, one's brain, etc.) over some problem or matter. |
| 9. | Archaic. to make intricate or complicated. |
–verb (used without object)
—Verb phrase| 10. | to be perplexed or confused. |
| 11. | to ponder or study over some perplexing problem or matter. |
| 12. | puzzle out, to solve by careful study or effort: I was unable to puzzle out the message. |
Origin:
1585–95; orig. uncert.
1585–95; orig. uncert.
Related forms:
puz⋅zled⋅ly, adverb
puz⋅zled⋅ness, noun
Synonyms:
2. Puzzle, riddle, enigma refer to something baffling or confusing that is to be solved. A puzzle is a question or problem, intricate enough to be perplexing to the mind; it is sometimes a contrivance made purposely perplexing to test one's ingenuity: a crossword puzzle; The reason for their behavior remains a puzzle. A riddle is an intentionally obscure statement or question, the meaning of or answer to which is to be arrived at only by guessing: the famous riddle of the Sphinx. Enigma, originally meaning riddle, now refers to some baffling problem with connotations of mysteriousness: He will always be an enigma to me. 6. confound.
2. Puzzle, riddle, enigma refer to something baffling or confusing that is to be solved. A puzzle is a question or problem, intricate enough to be perplexing to the mind; it is sometimes a contrivance made purposely perplexing to test one's ingenuity: a crossword puzzle; The reason for their behavior remains a puzzle. A riddle is an intentionally obscure statement or question, the meaning of or answer to which is to be arrived at only by guessing: the famous riddle of the Sphinx. Enigma, originally meaning riddle, now refers to some baffling problem with connotations of mysteriousness: He will always be an enigma to me. 6. confound.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source
|
Link To puzzles
| puz·zle (pŭz'əl) v. puz·zled, puz·zling, puz·zles v. tr.
[Origin unknown.] puz'zler n. Synonyms: These verbs mean to cause bafflement or confusion. Puzzle suggests difficulty in solving or interpreting something: "The poor creature puzzled me once . . . by a question merely natural and innocent" (Daniel Defoe). |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
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