/ pəˈpleks; NAmE pərˈp-/ verb
[ usually passive ] if sth perplexes you, it makes you confused or worried because you do not understand it
SYN puzzle :
[ vn ]
They were perplexed by her response.
[also vn that ]
► per·plex·ing adjective :
a perplexing problem
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WORD ORIGIN
late 15th cent. (as the adjective perplexed ): from the obsolete adjective perplex bewildered , from Latin perplexus entangled, based on plexus interwoven, from the verb plectere .