v.tr. 1 puzzle, bewilder, or disconcert (a person, a person's mind, etc.). 2 complicate or confuse (a matter). 3 (as perplexed adj.) archaic entangled, intertwined. perplexedly adv. perplexingly adv.
[ back-form. f. perplexed f. obs. perplex (adj.) f. OF perplexe or L perplexus (as PER-, plexus past part. of plectere plait) ]