confusionn.

/kənˈfjuːʒən/

Forms: Also Middle English -syun, -syoun, -zion, Middle English–1500s -sioun(e, Middle English -syone, Scottish -syown, Middle English–1500s -syon, 1500s -cion.

Etymology: Middle English < Old French confusion (11th cent.) < Latin confūsiōn-em , noun of action from confundĕre to confound v. Used in English as noun of action and condition for both confound v. and confuse n.

a. Discomfiture, overthrow, ruin, destruction, perdition. ? Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

society > armed hostility > defeat > [noun]

confusionc1290

scomfit13..

cumber1303

discomfitc1330

scomfitingc1333

discomfiturea1400

scomfiturea1400

discomfitingc1405

overthrowc1440

male journey1455

overset1456

foilc1478

discomforture1485

supprise1488

reversea1529

distrage?1548

loss1548

defeat1553

underdeal1553

discomfort1589

defeatment1598

defeature1598

rufflec1600

defeatance1608

routa1616

Caudine Forks1619

disrout1623

conviction1631

bang1644

derout1644

conquest1677

drubbing1769

check1793

thrashing1797

sauve-qui-peut1815

debacle1847

smash1888

pasting1942

the world > action or operation > failure or lack of success > defeat or overthrow > [noun]

fallOE

confusionc1290

discomfiturea1400

castc1400

overthrowc1440

confoundinga1450

jeofail1546

prostitution1567

lurch1584

worsting1607

unhorsing1608

supplantation1617

defeat1676

overset1789

punishment1811

overthrowal1862

beating1883

unhorsement1884

whoop-ass1974

the world > existence and causation > creation > destruction > [noun] > overthrow of a person, institution, belief, etc.

fallOE

confusionc1290

subversiona1325

overthrowingc1330

overturninga1398

downcasta1400

wrackc1400

downcastingc1425

eversionc1425

profligationc1475

demolitionc1550

overturec1555

wreck1577

overturnc1592

racking?1689

upsetting1827

subversal1843

demolishment1884

c1290 S. Eng. Leg. I. 195 Do þov þin owene confusion.

1303 R. Mannyng Handlyng Synne 1747 Seþþe, wonede þere a dragun, þat dede many man confusyun.

1487 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (St. John's Cambr.) v. 656 Had thai nocht beyn full of tresoune; Bot that maid thair confusioune [1489 Adv. confusioun].

a1513 R. Fabyan New Cronycles Eng. & Fraunce (1516) I. cxvi. f. liii Fredegunde..soughte many vnlefull meanes Howe she myght brynge to confusyon the thyrde Sone of hir Husbonde.

1548 Hall's Vnion: Henry IV f. xiiij^v Kynge Richarde perceuyng them armed, knewe well that they came to his confusion.

1611 Bible (King James) Isa. xxxiv. 11 He shall stretch out vpon it the line of confusion, and the stones of emptinesse.

a1616 W. Shakespeare Macbeth (1623) iii. v. 29 As by the strength of their illusion, Shall draw him on to his Confusion .

1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost ii. 996 With ruin upon ruin, rout on rout, Confusion worse confounded.

1757 T. Gray Ode II i. i, in Odes 13 Ruin seize thee, ruthless King! Confusion on thy banners wait.

1788 J. Priestley Lect. Hist. i. iii. 30 The slavery of Greece, and..the confusion and slavery of Athens too.

b. A cause of overthrow or ruin. (Cf. ruin n. 7a.)

ΘΚΠ

the world > existence and causation > creation > destruction > [noun] > overthrow of a person, institution, belief, etc. > a means or cause of

confusionc1385

wrack1579

c1385 G. Chaucer Legend Good Women Hypsipyle. 1365 Thow sly deuourere & confusioun Of tendere wemen.

1592 A. Day 2nd Pt. Eng. Secretorie sig. Q4, in Eng. Secretorie (rev. ed.) He being the sonne of a Christian..should so wickedly become the confusion of his bretheren.

c. as an imprecation or exclamation. (Cf. confound v. 2a.)

ΘΚΠ

the mind > language > malediction > oaths > [interjection] > oaths other than religious or obscene > imprecations

woeOE

dahetc1290

confoundc1330

foul (also shame) fall ——c1330

sorrow on——c1330

in the wanianda1352

wildfirea1375

evil theedomc1386

a pestilence on (also upon)c1390

woe betide you (also him, her, etc.)c1390

maldathaita1400

murrainc1400

out ona1415

in the wild waning worldc1485

vengeance?a1500

in a wanion1549

with a wanion1549

woe worth1553

a plague on——a1566

with a wanion to?c1570

with a wanyand1570

bot1584

maugre1590

poxa1592

death1593

rot1594

rot on1595

cancro1597

pax1604

pize on (also upon)1605

vild1605

peascod1606

cargo1607

confusion1608

perditiona1616

(a) pest upon1632

deuce1651

stap my vitals1697

strike me blind, dumb, lucky (if, but—)1697

stop my vitals1699

split me (or my windpipe)1700

rabbit1701

consume1756

capot me!1760

nick me!1760

weary set1788

rats1816

bad cess to1859

curse1885

hanged1887

buggeration1964

1608 W. Shakespeare King Lear vii. 260 Vengeance, death, plague, confusion .

1768 O. Goldsmith Good Natur'd Man v. 61 Death! what's here!.. What can all this mean?.. Confusion.

1821 Ld. Byron Marino Faliero (2nd issue) iv. ii. 122 Confusion! Stand to your arms.

1842 S. Lover Handy Andy iii Drinking confusion to Handy Andy.

a. Mental discomfiture, putting to shame.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > emotion > humility > feeling of shame > [noun] > abashment

confusion1340

bashmentc1400

abashingc1404

abashmentc1430

abashancea1450

abashednessc1480

discountenance1577

modesty1594

1340 R. Rolle Pricke of Conscience 5299 He sal shew, to þair confusioun, Alle þe signes of his passioun.

c1350 Early Compl. Eng. Prose Psalter (E.E.T.S.) xliii[i]. 17 Confusion of my face haþ couered me.

1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis I. 146 To sete some conclusion, Which shulde be confusion Unto this knight.

c1440 Promptorium Parvulorum 90 Confusyone or schame, confusio.

1535 Bible (Coverdale) Psalms xxx[i]. i In the, O Lorde, is my trust: let me neuer be put to confucion [1611 ashamed].

1653 H. Cogan tr. F. M. Pinto Voy. & Adventures lxi. 248 There will be nothing left you but a dreadfull confusion to humble you.

a1831 A. Knox Remains (1844) I. 65 They would find, to their confusion, that Gregory..was, what they..would call a Methodist.

†b. Overthrow or discomfiture in argument; confutation. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > attention and judgement > testing > refutation, disproof > [noun]

gainsayingc1330

assoilinga1382

improvingc1443

unprovingc1449

lancing1470

redarguation?c1500

confutationa1530

redargution1529

reproof1529

confusion1530

disproof1531

reprehension1531

reproving1535

refutation?1536

improbation1556

refuting1563

disproving1587

conviction1593

infringement1593

refutal1599

gainsay1602

eviction1606

convincement1612

disproval1614

confutinga1617

improof1641

confutement1645

confute1646

refute1646

disprovement1662

reviction1677

invalidatinga1716

invalidation1771

rebutment1823

rebuttal1831

disconfirmation1937

1530 Myroure Oure Ladye (Fawkes) (1873) iii. 312 To strength of oure faythe, and to confusyon of heretykes.

1538 King Henry VIII Answers to Latimer in J. Strype Eccl. Memorials (1721) I. App. 263 Is this a sufficient confusion of Purgatory, because he here..doth not mention Purgatory?

3. Mental perturbation or agitation such as prevents the full command of the faculties; embarrassment, perplexity, fluttered condition.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > perplexity, bewilderment > [noun]

mingingOE

riddleOE

cumbermentc1300

willa1325

encumbrancec1330

were1338

perplexitya1393

discomfiturea1425

cumbrancec1460

confuse1483

proplexity1487

perplexion?c1500

amazedness?1520

amazement1553

subversion1558

amaze?1560

perplexednessa1586

confusedness1587

puzzle1599

confusion1600

mizmaze1604

discomfita1616

embarras1627

obfuscation1628

mystery1629

confoundedness1641

puzzledness1662

confuseness1710

puzzlement1731

puzzledom1748

embarrassment1751

puzzleation1767

bepuzzlement1806

conjecture1815

mystification1817

bewilderment1819

perplexment1826

fuddle1827

wilderment1830

discomforture1832

head-scratching1832

baffle1843

posement1850

muddlement1857

turbidity1868

fogging1878

bemuddlement1884

harl1889

befuddlement1905

turbidness1906

wuzziness1942

perplexability1999

1600 W. Shakespeare Merchant of Venice iii. ii. 177 Maddam, you haue bereft me of all words..and there is such confusion in my powers.

1604 W. Shakespeare Hamlet iii. i. 2 An can you by no drift of conference Get from him why he puts on this confusion.

1611 T. Heywood Golden Age iii. sig. F2 What Monarch wrapt in my confusions, Can tell what patience meanes?

1726 W. R. Chetwood Voy. & Adventures Capt. R. Boyle 226 The Sight of me, I observ'd, gave the Woman some Confusion.

1768 O. Goldsmith Good Natur'd Man iii. 389 You amaze me. How shall I conceal my confusion?

1874 L. Carr Judith Gwynne I. ii. 62 Suffering under a revulsion of outraged modesty, and sweet confusions.

4. The action of confounding, confusing, or throwing into disorder: spec. in reference to the ‘confusion of tongues’ at the tower of Babel.

ΘΚΠ

the world > relative properties > order > disorder > confusion or disorder > [noun] > confusing or disordering

confusionc1400

plundering1642

pell-melling1792

jumbling1852

mess-making1881

c1400 Mandeville's Trav. (Roxb.) vi. 21 Þe grete Babilon, whare þe confusion of tunges was made.

a1464 J. Capgrave Abbreuiacion of Cron. (Cambr. Gg.4.12) (1983) 20 In þis tyme was þe Tour of Confusion mad.

1555 R. Eden in tr. Peter Martyr of Angleria Decades of Newe Worlde Pref. sig. bij Attemptynge lyke an other Nemroth to buylde a newe towre of confusion.

1605 F. Bacon Of Aduancem. Learning i. sig. H2 The first great iudgement of God vppon the ambition of man, was the confusion of tongues.

1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost xii. 62 Thus was the building left Ridiculous, and the work Confusion nam'd.

1668 Bp. J. Wilkins Ess. Real Char. A ij b The Curse of the Confusion, with all the unhappy consequences of it.

a. A confused or disordered condition; disorder.

ΘΚΠ

the world > relative properties > order > disorder > [noun]

derayc1300

disray13..

disordinancec1374

unordaininga1382

perturbationa1398

disarrayc1410

misordera1513

disorder1530

confusionc1540

mistemper1549

indisposition1598

ataxy1615

disordination1626

indigestion1630

tumble1634

discomposure1641

incomposure1644

dyscrasy1647

dislocation1659

disarrayment1661

disjuncture1683

rack and manger1687

rantum-scantum1695

derangement1737

disarrangement1790

misarray1810

havoc1812

unhingement1817

mingle-mangleness1827

bedevilment1843

higgledy-piggledyness1854

ramshackledom1897

inchoateness1976

c1540 Pilgrim's Tale 224 in F. Thynne Animaduersions (1875) App. i. 83 For there ruell is but confucion.

1576 A. Fleming tr. Cicero in Panoplie Epist. 91 In beholding desolate disorder and confusion.

1634 Proc. Star Chamber in S. R. Gardiner Documents Proc. against W. Prynne (1877) 18 Forme or order in his booke there is not any, it is all full of confusion.

1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics iii, in tr. Virgil Wks. 121 The diff'ring Species in Confusion lie.

1772 Sheridan in Sheridaniana (1826) 39 The house was in such confusion it was impossible for him to go in.

1815 Duke of Wellington Dispatches (1838) XII. 482 The enemy..fled in the utmost confusion.

1856 J. A. Froude Hist. Eng. (1858) I. iii. 269 The meeting broke up in confusion.

b. In reference to ideas, notions, etc.

ΘΚΠ

the world > relative properties > order > disorder > confusion or disorder > [noun]

brabbling1530

confusion1530

ruffle1533

pell-mellc1586

confusedness1587

huddle1606

Babel confusion1653

promiscuity1663

hugger-mugger1674

promiscuousness1676

clutter1692

jumblement1706

muddle1808

embranglement1826

mare's nest1837

muddlement1857

muddledom1891

muddliness1891

mêlée1895

mix-up1898

huddledom1923

buggeration1962

mixed-upness1967

1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 354 That rule holdeth nat, for it shoulde engendre to moche confusyon.

a1538 T. Starkey Dial. Pole & Lupset (1989) 90 The lutheranys, wych are fallen in to many errorys & gret confusyon.

1765 W. Blackstone Comm. Laws Eng. I. i. i. 87 Both of which are equally productive of confusion.

1845 A. Polson in Encycl. Metrop. 732/1 The whole question is involved in much confusion.

1873 M. Arnold Lit. & Dogma i. 60 As we shall hereafter see, the confusion becomes worse confounded.

c. Confused condition of anything.

ΚΠ

1612 J. Brinsley Ludus Lit. xv. 199 A Synchesis, or a disordered confusion of their wordes.

1719 D. Defoe Life Robinson Crusoe 179 This Confusion of my Thoughts kept me waking.

1875 B. Jowett in tr. Plato Dialogues (ed. 2) V. 171 Out of intercourse with strangers there arises great confusion of manners.

d. with plural.

ΚΠ

1640 J. Shirley Coronation ii. sig. D2 I am circled with confusions Ile doe somewhat.

1722 D. Defoe Jrnl. Plague Year 148 Among such Confusions as I saw them in.

1847 R. W. Emerson Uses Great Men in Wks. (1906) I. 276 The geometer; the engineer; the musician..make an easy way for all, through unknown and impossible confusions.

e. quasi-concrete. A confused assemblage of. (rare.)

ΘΚΠ

the world > space > relative position > arrangement or fact of being arranged > absence of arrangement > [noun] > a disorderly collection

rabblea1398

hotchpotc1405

hotchpotchc1410

mishmashc1475

gaggle?1478

chaos?1550

humble-jumble1550

huddle1587

wilderness1594

lurry1607

hatterc1626

farragoa1637

bumble1648

higgledy-piggledy1659

jumble1661

clutter1666

hugger-mugger1674

litter1730

imbroglio1753

confusion1791

cludder1801

hurrah's nest1829

hotter1834

welter1857

muddle1863

splatter1895

shamble1926

1791 E. Inchbald Simple Story IV. x. 132 A confusion of persons assembling towards the apartment.

1835 J. Ross Narr. Second Voy. North-west Passage xxxix. 526 A confusion of piled blocks.

Thesaurus »

a. Tumult, excited and disorderly commotion.

b. Civil commotion or disorder.

ΘΚΠ

society > authority > lack of subjection > unruliness > disorder or riot > [noun]

riot1400

tumult1412

misgovernail?a1439

rout1439

revel1462

tumultuationc1475

stir1487

rangat?a1513

rangale1513

turmoil1526

ruffle1532

confusion1555

disorder1558

roaring1617

mayhem1976

1555 R. Eden tr. Peter Martyr of Angleria Decades of Newe Worlde ii. vi. f. 70^v Leste shee shuld bee slayne in the confusion of the bataile.

1593 R. Hooker Of Lawes Eccl. Politie Pref. 14 God is not a God of sedition and confusion.

1611 Bible (King James) Acts xix. 29 And the whole citie was filled with confusion .

1791 E. Burke Let. to Member National Assembly 21 The King..interfered to save Holland from confusion.

1883 ‘G. Lloyd’ Ebb & Flow II. xx. 5 A crowd had already gathered round him, and the confusion was beyond words.

c. plural. Disorders, commotions.

ΘΚΠ

society > authority > lack of subjection > unruliness > political unrest > [noun]

stirringa1154

motiona1387

troublec1435

misrule1442

commotion1471

stir1487

misgovernment1565

welteringa1586

confusions1599

distemper1605

distemperature?1606

convulsion1643

unsettlement1649

upturning1846

upturn1864

the natives are restless1950

the world > relative properties > order > disorder > confusion or disorder > commotion, disturbance, or disorder > [noun] > instance of

viretotec1386

moving?a1439

reela1450

stir1487

songa1500

pirrie1536

hurly-burly1548

make-a-do1575

confusions1599

the hunt is upa1625

ruffle1642

fuss1701

fraction1721

fizza1734

dust1753

noration1773

steeriea1776

splorea1791

rook1808

piece of work1810

curfuffle1813

squall1813

rookerya1820

stushie1824

shindy1829

shine1832

hurroosh1836

fustle1839

upsetting1847

shinty1848

ructions1862

vex1862

houp-la1870

set-out1875

hoodoo1876

tingle-tangle1880

shemozzle1885

take-on1893

dust-up1897

hoo-ha1931

tra-la-la1933

gefuffle1943

tzimmes1945

kerfuffle1946

1599 W. Shakespeare Romeo & Juliet iv. iv. 92 Peace ho for shame, confusions care liues not, In these confusions.

1662 Bk. Com. Prayer (1844) Pref. The late unhappy confusions.

1705 J. Addison Remarks Italy 8 Amidst all the Confusions of Europe.

1841 M. Elphinstone Hist. India II. ix. i. 273 Those confusions continued to rage without intermission till the year 1572.

a. Mixture in which the distinction of the elements is lost by fusion, blending, or intimate intermingling.

ΘΚΠ

the world > relative properties > wholeness > mutual relation of parts to whole > condition or state of being mixed or blended > [noun] > action or fact of mixing > through which distinctive elements are lost

confusionc1350

confoundinga1568

c1350 Early Compl. Eng. Prose Psalter 195 He is on in alle, nouȝt þurȝ confusion of substaunce, bot þurȝ onhede of persone.

1549 Bk. Common Prayer (STC 16267) Euensong f. vii One altogether, not by confusion of substaunce: but by vnitie of person.

1767 W. Blackstone Comm. Laws Eng. (new ed.) II. 405 In the case of confusion of goods, where those of two persons are so intermixed, that the several portions can be no longer distinguished.

1782 J. Priestley Hist. Corruptions Christianity I. i. 114 Without any change, confusion, or mixture of the two natures.

†b. Fusion together. Obsolete. rare.

ΘΚΠ

the world > relative properties > wholeness > mutual relation of parts to whole > condition or state of being combined > [noun] > coalescence or fusion

concretion1603

coalition1605

confusion?1608

coagulation1622

coalescence1652

concrement1656

fusion1776

coalescent1784

solution1820

intergrowtha1859

symphytism1871

fusing1886

?1608 S. Lennard tr. P. Charron Of Wisdome iii. vii. 434 Perfect friendship, which is a very free, plaine, and vniversall confusion of two soules... A confusion, not only a coniunction, & ioining together.

1617 J. Woodall Surgions Mate Termes 340 Confusion is properly a mixture of such liquid things as are fluid, and of one and the same nature.

8. The quality of being confused, indistinct, or obscure: said of objects of sensuous or mental attention.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > mental capacity > intelligibility > unintelligibility > depth, obscurity > [noun]

deepnessa1000

subtletya1387

difficultyc1405

mistiheadc1425

darknessc1450

obscurity1474

profoundnessc1475

obscureness1509

profundity1559

perplexity1563

opacity1575

darksomeness1583

perplexednessa1586

deptha1593

spinosity1605

abstruseness1628

abstrusity1649

inevidence1673

enigmaticalness1684

dark1699

indistinctness1704

confusion1729

reconditeness1779

obfuscity1832

oracularity1840

irrecognizability1847

recondity1856

unrecognizableness1865

crypticity1892

the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > insecure knowledge, uncertainty > [noun] > unclear condition

obscurity1474

mist1532

cloud-lighta1536

indeterminateness1644

undistinction1647

indeterminacy1649

indistinction1651

undeterminateness1653

inestimability1678

undefinableness?1705

confusion1729

obnubilation1753

cloudiness1779

indistinctness1783

haze1790

haziness1796

vagueness1799

nebulosity1809

undefinednessa1832

undecidedness1897

indeterminism1928

fuzziness1973

smog1976

1729 Bp. J. Butler 15 Serm. (ed. 2) Pref. p. v Confusion and Perplexity in Writing is indeed without Excuse.

1753 W. Hogarth Anal. Beauty viii. 42 Confusion will be hereby avoided when the object is seen near.

9. The confounding or mistaking of one for another; failure to distinguish. Const. of (things), of one with another, between (things).

ΘΚΠ

the mind > attention and judgement > judgement or decision > misjudgement > indiscriminateness > [noun]

indistinction1624

muddiness1645

indiscrimination1649

puddling1695

undiscerning1711

muddying1713

under-niceness1748

confusion1771

mixing1831

confounding1850

colour blindness1861

undiscriminatingness1866

muddling1873

indiscriminateness1879

unfastidiousness1881

indiscriminancy1890

lumping1903

1771 E. Burke Corr. (1844) I. 281 To prevent that confusion of distinct matters into which..I saw you inclined to run.

1862 J. Ruskin Munera Pulveris 29 The third error in the popular view is the confusion of Guardianship with Possession.

1885 E. Clodd Myths & Dreams i. vi. 105 That confusion between names and things which marks all primitive thinking.

This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1891; most recently modified version published online June 2021).

单词	confusion
释义	confusionn. /kənˈfjuːʒən/ Forms: Also Middle English -syun, -syoun, -zion, Middle English–1500s -sioun(e, Middle English -syone, Scottish -syown, Middle English–1500s -syon, 1500s -cion. Etymology: Middle English < Old French confusion (11th cent.) < Latin confūsiōn-em , noun of action from confundĕre to confound v. Used in English as noun of action and condition for both confound v. and confuse n. 1. a. Discomfiture, overthrow, ruin, destruction, perdition. ? Obsolete. ΘΚΠ society > armed hostility > defeat > [noun] confusionc1290 scomfit13.. cumber1303 discomfitc1330 scomfitingc1333 discomfiturea1400 scomfiturea1400 discomfitingc1405 overthrowc1440 male journey1455 overset1456 foilc1478 discomforture1485 supprise1488 reversea1529 distrage?1548 loss1548 defeat1553 underdeal1553 discomfort1589 defeatment1598 defeature1598 rufflec1600 defeatance1608 routa1616 Caudine Forks1619 disrout1623 conviction1631 bang1644 derout1644 conquest1677 drubbing1769 check1793 thrashing1797 sauve-qui-peut1815 debacle1847 smash1888 pasting1942 the world > action or operation > failure or lack of success > defeat or overthrow > [noun] fallOE confusionc1290 discomfiturea1400 castc1400 overthrowc1440 confoundinga1450 jeofail1546 prostitution1567 lurch1584 worsting1607 unhorsing1608 supplantation1617 defeat1676 overset1789 punishment1811 overthrowal1862 beating1883 unhorsement1884 whoop-ass1974 the world > existence and causation > creation > destruction > [noun] > overthrow of a person, institution, belief, etc. fallOE confusionc1290 subversiona1325 overthrowingc1330 overturninga1398 downcasta1400 wrackc1400 downcastingc1425 eversionc1425 profligationc1475 demolitionc1550 overturec1555 wreck1577 overturnc1592 racking?1689 upsetting1827 subversal1843 demolishment1884 c1290 S. Eng. Leg. I. 195 Do þov þin owene confusion. 1303 R. Mannyng Handlyng Synne 1747 Seþþe, wonede þere a dragun, þat dede many man confusyun. 1487 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (St. John's Cambr.) v. 656 Had thai nocht beyn full of tresoune; Bot that maid thair confusioune [1489 Adv. confusioun]. a1513 R. Fabyan New Cronycles Eng. & Fraunce (1516) I. cxvi. f. liii Fredegunde..soughte many vnlefull meanes Howe she myght brynge to confusyon the thyrde Sone of hir Husbonde. 1548 Hall's Vnion: Henry IV f. xiiij^v Kynge Richarde perceuyng them armed, knewe well that they came to his confusion. 1611 Bible (King James) Isa. xxxiv. 11 He shall stretch out vpon it the line of confusion, and the stones of emptinesse. View more context for this quotation a1616 W. Shakespeare Macbeth (1623) iii. v. 29 As by the strength of their illusion, Shall draw him on to his Confusion . View more context for this quotation 1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost ii. 996 With ruin upon ruin, rout on rout, Confusion worse confounded. View more context for this quotation 1757 T. Gray Ode II i. i, in Odes 13 Ruin seize thee, ruthless King! Confusion on thy banners wait. 1788 J. Priestley Lect. Hist. i. iii. 30 The slavery of Greece, and..the confusion and slavery of Athens too. b. A cause of overthrow or ruin. (Cf. ruin n. 7a.) ΘΚΠ the world > existence and causation > creation > destruction > [noun] > overthrow of a person, institution, belief, etc. > a means or cause of confusionc1385 wrack1579 c1385 G. Chaucer Legend Good Women Hypsipyle. 1365 Thow sly deuourere & confusioun Of tendere wemen. 1592 A. Day 2nd Pt. Eng. Secretorie sig. Q4, in Eng. Secretorie (rev. ed.) He being the sonne of a Christian..should so wickedly become the confusion of his bretheren. c. as an imprecation or exclamation. (Cf. confound v. 2a.) ΘΚΠ the mind > language > malediction > oaths > [interjection] > oaths other than religious or obscene > imprecations woeOE dahetc1290 confoundc1330 foul (also shame) fall ——c1330 sorrow on——c1330 in the wanianda1352 wildfirea1375 evil theedomc1386 a pestilence on (also upon)c1390 woe betide you (also him, her, etc.)c1390 maldathaita1400 murrainc1400 out ona1415 in the wild waning worldc1485 vengeance?a1500 in a wanion1549 with a wanion1549 woe worth1553 a plague on——a1566 with a wanion to?c1570 with a wanyand1570 bot1584 maugre1590 poxa1592 death1593 rot1594 rot on1595 cancro1597 pax1604 pize on (also upon)1605 vild1605 peascod1606 cargo1607 confusion1608 perditiona1616 (a) pest upon1632 deuce1651 stap my vitals1697 strike me blind, dumb, lucky (if, but—)1697 stop my vitals1699 split me (or my windpipe)1700 rabbit1701 consume1756 capot me!1760 nick me!1760 weary set1788 rats1816 bad cess to1859 curse1885 hanged1887 buggeration1964 1608 W. Shakespeare King Lear vii. 260 Vengeance, death, plague, confusion . View more context for this quotation 1768 O. Goldsmith Good Natur'd Man v. 61 Death! what's here!.. What can all this mean?.. Confusion. 1821 Ld. Byron Marino Faliero (2nd issue) iv. ii. 122 Confusion! Stand to your arms. 1842 S. Lover Handy Andy iii Drinking confusion to Handy Andy. 2. a. Mental discomfiture, putting to shame. ΘΚΠ the mind > emotion > humility > feeling of shame > [noun] > abashment confusion1340 bashmentc1400 abashingc1404 abashmentc1430 abashancea1450 abashednessc1480 discountenance1577 modesty1594 1340 R. Rolle Pricke of Conscience 5299 He sal shew, to þair confusioun, Alle þe signes of his passioun. c1350 Early Compl. Eng. Prose Psalter (E.E.T.S.) xliii[i]. 17 Confusion of my face haþ couered me. 1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis I. 146 To sete some conclusion, Which shulde be confusion Unto this knight. c1440 Promptorium Parvulorum 90 Confusyone or schame, confusio. 1535 Bible (Coverdale) Psalms xxx[i]. i In the, O Lorde, is my trust: let me neuer be put to confucion [1611 ashamed]. 1653 H. Cogan tr. F. M. Pinto Voy. & Adventures lxi. 248 There will be nothing left you but a dreadfull confusion to humble you. a1831 A. Knox Remains (1844) I. 65 They would find, to their confusion, that Gregory..was, what they..would call a Methodist. †b. Overthrow or discomfiture in argument; confutation. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > testing > refutation, disproof > [noun] gainsayingc1330 assoilinga1382 improvingc1443 unprovingc1449 lancing1470 redarguation?c1500 confutationa1530 redargution1529 reproof1529 confusion1530 disproof1531 reprehension1531 reproving1535 refutation?1536 improbation1556 refuting1563 disproving1587 conviction1593 infringement1593 refutal1599 gainsay1602 eviction1606 convincement1612 disproval1614 confutinga1617 improof1641 confutement1645 confute1646 refute1646 disprovement1662 reviction1677 invalidatinga1716 invalidation1771 rebutment1823 rebuttal1831 disconfirmation1937 1530 Myroure Oure Ladye (Fawkes) (1873) iii. 312 To strength of oure faythe, and to confusyon of heretykes. 1538 King Henry VIII Answers to Latimer in J. Strype Eccl. Memorials (1721) I. App. 263 Is this a sufficient confusion of Purgatory, because he here..doth not mention Purgatory? 3. Mental perturbation or agitation such as prevents the full command of the faculties; embarrassment, perplexity, fluttered condition. ΘΚΠ the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > perplexity, bewilderment > [noun] mingingOE riddleOE cumbermentc1300 willa1325 encumbrancec1330 were1338 perplexitya1393 discomfiturea1425 cumbrancec1460 confuse1483 proplexity1487 perplexion?c1500 amazedness?1520 amazement1553 subversion1558 amaze?1560 perplexednessa1586 confusedness1587 puzzle1599 confusion1600 mizmaze1604 discomfita1616 embarras1627 obfuscation1628 mystery1629 confoundedness1641 puzzledness1662 confuseness1710 puzzlement1731 puzzledom1748 embarrassment1751 puzzleation1767 bepuzzlement1806 conjecture1815 mystification1817 bewilderment1819 perplexment1826 fuddle1827 wilderment1830 discomforture1832 head-scratching1832 baffle1843 posement1850 muddlement1857 turbidity1868 fogging1878 bemuddlement1884 harl1889 befuddlement1905 turbidness1906 wuzziness1942 perplexability1999 1600 W. Shakespeare Merchant of Venice iii. ii. 177 Maddam, you haue bereft me of all words..and there is such confusion in my powers. View more context for this quotation 1604 W. Shakespeare Hamlet iii. i. 2 An can you by no drift of conference Get from him why he puts on this confusion. 1611 T. Heywood Golden Age iii. sig. F2 What Monarch wrapt in my confusions, Can tell what patience meanes? 1726 W. R. Chetwood Voy. & Adventures Capt. R. Boyle 226 The Sight of me, I observ'd, gave the Woman some Confusion. 1768 O. Goldsmith Good Natur'd Man iii. 389 You amaze me. How shall I conceal my confusion? 1874 L. Carr Judith Gwynne I. ii. 62 Suffering under a revulsion of outraged modesty, and sweet confusions. 4. The action of confounding, confusing, or throwing into disorder: spec. in reference to the ‘confusion of tongues’ at the tower of Babel. ΘΚΠ the world > relative properties > order > disorder > confusion or disorder > [noun] > confusing or disordering confusionc1400 plundering1642 pell-melling1792 jumbling1852 mess-making1881 c1400 Mandeville's Trav. (Roxb.) vi. 21 Þe grete Babilon, whare þe confusion of tunges was made. a1464 J. Capgrave Abbreuiacion of Cron. (Cambr. Gg.4.12) (1983) 20 In þis tyme was þe Tour of Confusion mad. 1555 R. Eden in tr. Peter Martyr of Angleria Decades of Newe Worlde Pref. sig. bij Attemptynge lyke an other Nemroth to buylde a newe towre of confusion. 1605 F. Bacon Of Aduancem. Learning i. sig. H2 The first great iudgement of God vppon the ambition of man, was the confusion of tongues. View more context for this quotation 1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost xii. 62 Thus was the building left Ridiculous, and the work Confusion nam'd. View more context for this quotation 1668 Bp. J. Wilkins Ess. Real Char. A ij b The Curse of the Confusion, with all the unhappy consequences of it. 5. a. A confused or disordered condition; disorder. ΘΚΠ the world > relative properties > order > disorder > [noun] derayc1300 disray13.. disordinancec1374 unordaininga1382 perturbationa1398 disarrayc1410 misordera1513 disorder1530 confusionc1540 mistemper1549 indisposition1598 ataxy1615 disordination1626 indigestion1630 tumble1634 discomposure1641 incomposure1644 dyscrasy1647 dislocation1659 disarrayment1661 disjuncture1683 rack and manger1687 rantum-scantum1695 derangement1737 disarrangement1790 misarray1810 havoc1812 unhingement1817 mingle-mangleness1827 bedevilment1843 higgledy-piggledyness1854 ramshackledom1897 inchoateness1976 c1540 Pilgrim's Tale 224 in F. Thynne Animaduersions (1875) App. i. 83 For there ruell is but confucion. 1576 A. Fleming tr. Cicero in Panoplie Epist. 91 In beholding desolate disorder and confusion. 1634 Proc. Star Chamber in S. R. Gardiner Documents Proc. against W. Prynne (1877) 18 Forme or order in his booke there is not any, it is all full of confusion. 1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics iii, in tr. Virgil Wks. 121 The diff'ring Species in Confusion lie. View more context for this quotation 1772 Sheridan in Sheridaniana (1826) 39 The house was in such confusion it was impossible for him to go in. 1815 Duke of Wellington Dispatches (1838) XII. 482 The enemy..fled in the utmost confusion. 1856 J. A. Froude Hist. Eng. (1858) I. iii. 269 The meeting broke up in confusion. b. In reference to ideas, notions, etc. ΘΚΠ the world > relative properties > order > disorder > confusion or disorder > [noun] brabbling1530 confusion1530 ruffle1533 pell-mellc1586 confusedness1587 huddle1606 Babel confusion1653 promiscuity1663 hugger-mugger1674 promiscuousness1676 clutter1692 jumblement1706 muddle1808 embranglement1826 mare's nest1837 muddlement1857 muddledom1891 muddliness1891 mêlée1895 mix-up1898 huddledom1923 buggeration1962 mixed-upness1967 1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 354 That rule holdeth nat, for it shoulde engendre to moche confusyon. a1538 T. Starkey Dial. Pole & Lupset (1989) 90 The lutheranys, wych are fallen in to many errorys & gret confusyon. 1765 W. Blackstone Comm. Laws Eng. I. i. i. 87 Both of which are equally productive of confusion. 1845 A. Polson in Encycl. Metrop. 732/1 The whole question is involved in much confusion. 1873 M. Arnold Lit. & Dogma i. 60 As we shall hereafter see, the confusion becomes worse confounded. c. Confused condition of anything. ΚΠ 1612 J. Brinsley Ludus Lit. xv. 199 A Synchesis, or a disordered confusion of their wordes. 1719 D. Defoe Life Robinson Crusoe 179 This Confusion of my Thoughts kept me waking. 1875 B. Jowett in tr. Plato Dialogues (ed. 2) V. 171 Out of intercourse with strangers there arises great confusion of manners. d. with plural. ΚΠ 1640 J. Shirley Coronation ii. sig. D2 I am circled with confusions Ile doe somewhat. 1722 D. Defoe Jrnl. Plague Year 148 Among such Confusions as I saw them in. 1847 R. W. Emerson Uses Great Men in Wks. (1906) I. 276 The geometer; the engineer; the musician..make an easy way for all, through unknown and impossible confusions. e. quasi-concrete. A confused assemblage of. (rare.) ΘΚΠ the world > space > relative position > arrangement or fact of being arranged > absence of arrangement > [noun] > a disorderly collection rabblea1398 hotchpotc1405 hotchpotchc1410 mishmashc1475 gaggle?1478 chaos?1550 humble-jumble1550 huddle1587 wilderness1594 lurry1607 hatterc1626 farragoa1637 bumble1648 higgledy-piggledy1659 jumble1661 clutter1666 hugger-mugger1674 litter1730 imbroglio1753 confusion1791 cludder1801 hurrah's nest1829 hotter1834 welter1857 muddle1863 splatter1895 shamble1926 1791 E. Inchbald Simple Story IV. x. 132 A confusion of persons assembling towards the apartment. 1835 J. Ross Narr. Second Voy. North-west Passage xxxix. 526 A confusion of piled blocks. 6. Thesaurus » a. Tumult, excited and disorderly commotion. b. Civil commotion or disorder. ΘΚΠ society > authority > lack of subjection > unruliness > disorder or riot > [noun] riot1400 tumult1412 misgovernail?a1439 rout1439 revel1462 tumultuationc1475 stir1487 rangat?a1513 rangale1513 turmoil1526 ruffle1532 confusion1555 disorder1558 roaring1617 mayhem1976 1555 R. Eden tr. Peter Martyr of Angleria Decades of Newe Worlde ii. vi. f. 70^v Leste shee shuld bee slayne in the confusion of the bataile. 1593 R. Hooker Of Lawes Eccl. Politie Pref. 14 God is not a God of sedition and confusion. 1611 Bible (King James) Acts xix. 29 And the whole citie was filled with confusion . View more context for this quotation 1791 E. Burke Let. to Member National Assembly 21 The King..interfered to save Holland from confusion. 1883 ‘G. Lloyd’ Ebb & Flow II. xx. 5 A crowd had already gathered round him, and the confusion was beyond words. c. plural. Disorders, commotions. ΘΚΠ society > authority > lack of subjection > unruliness > political unrest > [noun] stirringa1154 motiona1387 troublec1435 misrule1442 commotion1471 stir1487 misgovernment1565 welteringa1586 confusions1599 distemper1605 distemperature?1606 convulsion1643 unsettlement1649 upturning1846 upturn1864 the natives are restless1950 the world > relative properties > order > disorder > confusion or disorder > commotion, disturbance, or disorder > [noun] > instance of viretotec1386 moving?a1439 reela1450 stir1487 songa1500 pirrie1536 hurly-burly1548 make-a-do1575 confusions1599 the hunt is upa1625 ruffle1642 fuss1701 fraction1721 fizza1734 dust1753 noration1773 steeriea1776 splorea1791 rook1808 piece of work1810 curfuffle1813 squall1813 rookerya1820 stushie1824 shindy1829 shine1832 hurroosh1836 fustle1839 upsetting1847 shinty1848 ructions1862 vex1862 houp-la1870 set-out1875 hoodoo1876 tingle-tangle1880 shemozzle1885 take-on1893 dust-up1897 hoo-ha1931 tra-la-la1933 gefuffle1943 tzimmes1945 kerfuffle1946 1599 W. Shakespeare Romeo & Juliet iv. iv. 92 Peace ho for shame, confusions care liues not, In these confusions. View more context for this quotation 1662 Bk. Com. Prayer (1844) Pref. The late unhappy confusions. 1705 J. Addison Remarks Italy 8 Amidst all the Confusions of Europe. 1841 M. Elphinstone Hist. India II. ix. i. 273 Those confusions continued to rage without intermission till the year 1572. 7. a. Mixture in which the distinction of the elements is lost by fusion, blending, or intimate intermingling. ΘΚΠ the world > relative properties > wholeness > mutual relation of parts to whole > condition or state of being mixed or blended > [noun] > action or fact of mixing > through which distinctive elements are lost confusionc1350 confoundinga1568 c1350 Early Compl. Eng. Prose Psalter 195 He is on in alle, nouȝt þurȝ confusion of substaunce, bot þurȝ onhede of persone. 1549 Bk. Common Prayer (STC 16267) Euensong f. vii One altogether, not by confusion of substaunce: but by vnitie of person. 1767 W. Blackstone Comm. Laws Eng. (new ed.) II. 405 In the case of confusion of goods, where those of two persons are so intermixed, that the several portions can be no longer distinguished. 1782 J. Priestley Hist. Corruptions Christianity I. i. 114 Without any change, confusion, or mixture of the two natures. †b. Fusion together. Obsolete. rare. ΘΚΠ the world > relative properties > wholeness > mutual relation of parts to whole > condition or state of being combined > [noun] > coalescence or fusion concretion1603 coalition1605 confusion?1608 coagulation1622 coalescence1652 concrement1656 fusion1776 coalescent1784 solution1820 intergrowtha1859 symphytism1871 fusing1886 ?1608 S. Lennard tr. P. Charron Of Wisdome iii. vii. 434 Perfect friendship, which is a very free, plaine, and vniversall confusion of two soules... A confusion, not only a coniunction, & ioining together. 1617 J. Woodall Surgions Mate Termes 340 Confusion is properly a mixture of such liquid things as are fluid, and of one and the same nature. 8. The quality of being confused, indistinct, or obscure: said of objects of sensuous or mental attention. ΘΚΠ the mind > mental capacity > intelligibility > unintelligibility > depth, obscurity > [noun] deepnessa1000 subtletya1387 difficultyc1405 mistiheadc1425 darknessc1450 obscurity1474 profoundnessc1475 obscureness1509 profundity1559 perplexity1563 opacity1575 darksomeness1583 perplexednessa1586 deptha1593 spinosity1605 abstruseness1628 abstrusity1649 inevidence1673 enigmaticalness1684 dark1699 indistinctness1704 confusion1729 reconditeness1779 obfuscity1832 oracularity1840 irrecognizability1847 recondity1856 unrecognizableness1865 crypticity1892 the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > insecure knowledge, uncertainty > [noun] > unclear condition obscurity1474 mist1532 cloud-lighta1536 indeterminateness1644 undistinction1647 indeterminacy1649 indistinction1651 undeterminateness1653 inestimability1678 undefinableness?1705 confusion1729 obnubilation1753 cloudiness1779 indistinctness1783 haze1790 haziness1796 vagueness1799 nebulosity1809 undefinednessa1832 undecidedness1897 indeterminism1928 fuzziness1973 smog1976 1729 Bp. J. Butler 15 Serm. (ed. 2) Pref. p. v Confusion and Perplexity in Writing is indeed without Excuse. 1753 W. Hogarth Anal. Beauty viii. 42 Confusion will be hereby avoided when the object is seen near. 9. The confounding or mistaking of one for another; failure to distinguish. Const. of (things), of one with another, between (things). ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > judgement or decision > misjudgement > indiscriminateness > [noun] indistinction1624 muddiness1645 indiscrimination1649 puddling1695 undiscerning1711 muddying1713 under-niceness1748 confusion1771 mixing1831 confounding1850 colour blindness1861 undiscriminatingness1866 muddling1873 indiscriminateness1879 unfastidiousness1881 indiscriminancy1890 lumping1903 1771 E. Burke Corr. (1844) I. 281 To prevent that confusion of distinct matters into which..I saw you inclined to run. 1862 J. Ruskin Munera Pulveris 29 The third error in the popular view is the confusion of Guardianship with Possession. 1885 E. Clodd Myths & Dreams i. vi. 105 That confusion between names and things which marks all primitive thinking. This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1891; most recently modified version published online June 2021). < n.c1290
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