I. ˈbafəl transitive verb
( baffled ; baffled ; baffling -f(ə)liŋ ; baffles )
Etymology: probably alteration of Middle English (Scots dialect) bawchillen, bachlen to denounce or discredit publicly
1. obsolete
a. : to subject to a disgraceful punishment or to infamy
b. : to subject to any disgrace or contumely
c. : cheat , trick
d. : to reduce to ineffectiveness
2. : to defeat or check (as understanding, plans, efforts, actions) by confusing or puzzling : disconcert , perplex , frustrate
with postwar verse, the … untutored reader is apt to admit himself quite baffled — C.D.Lewis
the swiftness of his marches baffled alike flight and resistance — J.A.Froude
3. : to check or break the force of : deflect or stop the flow of
guard plates to baffle the steam
: interfere with the free or straight motion of : disperse the effective force of
the yawl was baffled by the changing winds
4. : to equip with a baffle
5. : to prevent (two or more sets of sound waves) from interfering with each other (as by introducing a partition between the front and back of a loudspeaker)
Synonyms: see frustrate
II. noun
( -s )
1. : bafflement , confusion , uncertainty
2. : something for deflecting, checking, or otherwise regulating flow: as
a. : a plate or wall for deflecting gases or other fluids (as in a steam-boiler flue, a reverberatory furnace, or a gasoline-engine muffler)
b. : a plate or grating in a channel or a pipe conveying fluid to check eddy currents and thus cause a uniform flow
c. : a device or structure (as a vane or partition) for preventing the passage of, deflecting, or regulating the intensity of light
d. : a device or structure for deadening, preventing the transmission of, or deflecting sound
3. : a partition or cabinet used with the diaphragm of a loudspeaker to impede the exchange of sound waves between front and back