puzzle — Defs

01 n. Something which perplexes or embarrasses; especially, a toy or a problem contrived for testing ingenuity; also, something exhibiting marvel…

1.
Something which perplexes or embarrasses; especially, a toy or a problem contrived for testing ingenuity; also, something exhibiting marvelous skill in making.
2.
The state of being puzzled; perplexity; as, to be in a puzzle.

02 v. t. To perplex; to confuse; to embarrass; to put to a stand; to nonplus.

imp. & p. p. puzzled; p. pr. & vb. n. puzzling

1.
To perplex; to confuse; to embarrass; to put to a stand; to nonplus.
“A very shrewd disputant in those points is dexterous in puzzling others.” — Dr. H. More.

“He is perpetually puzzled and perplexed amidst his own blunders.” — Addison.
2.
To make intricate; to entangle.
“They disentangle from the puzzled skein.” — Cowper.

“The ways of Heaven are dark and intricate, Puzzled in mazes, and perplexed with error.” — Addison.
3.
To solve by ingenuity, as a puzzle; -- followed by out; as, to puzzle out a mystery.

Syn. To embarrass; perplex; confuse; bewilder; confound. See Embarrass.

03 v. i. To be bewildered, or perplexed.

1.
To be bewildered, or perplexed.
“A puzzling fool, that heeds nothing.” — L'Estrange.
2.
To work, as at a puzzle; as, to puzzle over a problem.