/ kənˈfaʊnd; NAmE / verb [ vn ] ( formal )
1.
to confuse and surprise sb
SYN baffle :
The sudden rise in share prices has confounded economists.
2.
to prove sb/sth wrong :
to confound expectations
She confounded her critics and proved she could do the job.
3.
( old-fashioned ) to defeat an enemy
•
IDIOMS
- confound it / you!
••
WORD ORIGIN
Middle English : from Old French confondre , from Latin confundere pour together, mix up. Compare with confuse .