Definition of "puzzle"

puzzle

/ˈpʌzəl/

noun
plural puzzles
1. Anything that is difficult to understand or make sense of.
2. A game for one or more people that is more or less difficult to work out or complete.
3. A crossword puzzle.
4. A jigsaw puzzle.
5. A riddle.
6. (archaic) Something made with marvellous skill; something of ingenious construction.
7. The state of being puzzled; perplexity.
verb
third-person singular simple present puzzles, present participle puzzling, simple past and past participle puzzled
1. (transitive) To perplex, confuse, or mystify; to cause (someone) to be faced with a mystery, without answers or an explanation.
  Quotations
  Mens daily occaſions for themſelves or friends, and the neceſities of common life, require the doing of a thouſand things vvithin the compaſs of a fevv dayes, for vvhich it vvould puzzle the beſt Textman that liveth; readily to bethink himself of a ſentence in the Bible, clear enough to ſatisfie a ſcrupulous conſcience of the lavvfulneſs and expediency of vvhat he is about to do; […]
  1634 September 1 (Gregorian calendar), Robert Sanderson, “, published 1671, paragraph 15, page 65
  A very shrewd disputant in those points is dexterous in puzzling others, if they be not thoroughpaced speculators in those great theories.
  1668, Franciscus Euistor the Palæopolite [pseudonym; Henry More], “(please specify the page)”, in Divine Dialogues, Containing Sundry Disquisitions & Instructions Concerning the Attributes of God and His Providence in the World. […], 2nd edition, London: […] Joseph Downing […], published 1713
  He is perpetually puzzled and perplexed amidst his own blunders.
  1712 February 13 (Gregorian calendar), [Joseph Addison; Richard Steele et al.], “SATURDAY, February 2, 1711–1712”, in The Spectator, number 291; republished in Alexander Chalmers, editor, The Spectator; a New Edition, […], volume III, New York, N.Y.: D[aniel] Appleton & Company, 1853
  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.
  1927, F. E. Penny, chapter 4, in Pulling the Strings
  When it comes to God's existence, I'm not an atheist and I'm not an agnostic. I'm an acrostic. The whole thing puzzles me.
  2004, George Carlin, When Will Jesus Bring the Pork Chops?‎, New York: Hyperion Books, page 261
2. (intransitive) To think long and carefully, in bewilderment.
3. (transitive) To make intricate; to entangle.
  Quotations
  The ways of Heav'n are dark and intricate, / Puzzled in mazes, and perplex'd with error.
  1712 (date written), [Joseph] Addison, Cato, a Tragedy. […], London: […] J[acob] Tonson, […], published 1713, Act I, scene i, page 1
  They disentangle from the puzzled skein.
  1782–1785, William Cowper, “(please specify the page)”, in The Task, a Poem, […], London: […] J[oseph] Johnson; […]

Definition of "puzzle"

puzzle

noun

verb

Quotations

Quotations