Puzzle
Pronunciation
- enPR: pÅzʹəl, IPA: /ˈpÊŒzÉ™l/
- Rhymes: -ʌzəl
Origin
Origin uncertain, originally pusle. Possibly from pose("to perplex, puzzle, interrogate") + -le. The verb (1590s) “to perplex†seems to predate the noun “state of being perplexed†(circa 1600), “perplexing question†(1650s), “toy†(1814).
Online_Etymology_Dictionary
Full definition of puzzle
Noun
puzzle
(plural puzzles)- Anything that is difficult to understand or make sense of.Where he went after he left the house is a puzzle.
- A game for one person that is more or less difficult to work out or complete.
- A crossword puzzle.
- A jigsaw puzzle.
- A riddle.
- (archaic) Something made with marvellous skill; something of ingenious construction.
- The state of being puzzled; perplexity.to be in a puzzle
Synonyms
- (anything difficult to understand or make sense of): anybody's guess, anyone's guess, conundrum, enigma, mystery
- (game for one person): brain-teaser, poser
- (crossword puzzle): crossword, crossword puzzle
- (''jigsaw puzzle): jigsaw, jigsaw puzzle
- (riddle): guessing game, riddle
Derived terms
DERIVEDVerb
- (transitive) To perplex (someone).
- Henry More (1614-1687)A very shrewd disputant in those points is dexterous in puzzling others, if they be not thoroughpaced speculators in those great theories.
- Joseph Addison (1672-1719)He is perpetually puzzled and perplexed amidst his own blunders.
- 1927, F. E. Penny, Pulling the Strings Chapter 4, The case was that of a murder. It had an element of mystery about it, however, which was puzzling the authorities. A turban and loincloth soaked in blood had been found; also a staff.
- To make intricate; to entangle.
- Joseph Addison (1672-1719)The ways of Heaven are dark and intricate,
Puzzled in mazes, and perplexed with error. - William Cowper (1731-1800)They disentangle from the puzzled skein.