Webster's English Dictionary

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puzzle

Cross references:
  1. mystery               
 
1. puz.zle \'p*z-*l\ \-(*-)lin\ \-(*-)l*r\ vb or puz.zling [origin unknown] 
   obs  1: BAFFLE, CONFOUND  2: PERPLEX, NONPLUS  archaic  3: COMPLICATE, 
   ENTANGLE  4: to solve with difficulty or ingenuity  1: to be uncertain as 
   to action or choice  2: to attempt a solution of a puzzle by guesswork or 
   experiment LUS, CONFOUND, DUMBFOUND mean to disturb and baffle. PUZZLE 
   implies presenting a problem difficult to solve; PERPLEX suggests worry and 
   uncertainty in making a decision; BEWILDER implies a confusion of mind 
   preventing clear thinking; DISTRACT suggests agitation caused by 
   conflicting preoccupations or interests; NONPLUS implies a bafflement 
   causing complete blankness of mind; CONFOUND implies temporary mental 
   paralysis caused by astonishment or thorough abashment; DUMBFOUND suggests 
   a stronger but momentary confounding - puz.zler n SYN syn PUZZLE, PERPLEX, 
   BEWILDER, DISTRACT, NONP 
2. puzzle n 1: the state of being puzzled : PERPLEXITY  2a: something that 
   puzzles  2b: a question, problem, or contrivance designed for testing 
   ingenuity