释义 |
per·plex \pə(r)ˈpleks\ transitive verb (-ed/-ing/-es) Etymology: obsolete English perplex, adjective, perplexed, involved, from Latin perplexus, from per- thoroughly + plexus involved, from past participle of plectere to plait, braid, interweave — more at per-, ply 1. : to disturb mentally especially so as to make impossible clear or decisive thinking on the matter at hand : fill with doubt, uncertainty, or confusion : bewilder, nonplus < perplexed by many cares > < such contradictions perplex the historian > < questions that have perplexed men since time began — C.F.Strubbe > 2. a. : to make intricate, involved, or difficult to understand : complicate, confuse < no attempts at wit obscure or perplex his matter — Earl of Chesterfield > b. : interweave, entangle < brambles … perplexed and interwoven with one another — Joseph Addison > 3. obsolete : plague, vex, torment Synonyms: see puzzle |