Perplex

Pronunciation

• US enPR: pÉ™rplÄ•ks', IPA: /pɚˈplÉ›ks/
• Rhymes: -É›ks

Origin

From Old French, from Latin perplexus ("entangled, confused"), from per ("through") + plexus, perfect passive participle of plectō ("plait, weave, braid").

Full definition of perplex

Verb

1. (transitive) To cause to feel baffled; to puzzle.
2. (transitive) To involve; to entangle; to make intricate or complicated.
• John LockeWhat was thought obscure, perplexed, and too hard for our weak parts, will lie open to the understanding in a fair view.
3. (transitive, obsolete) To plague; to vex; to torment.

Synonyms

Related terms

• perplexed
• perplexing
• perplexity

Adjective

1. (obsolete) intricate; difficult