baffle

IPA

Dictionary definition of baffle

To confuse or perplex someone, typically by presenting something that is difficult to understand or make sense of.
"The origin of the mysterious sound continues to baffle residents of the town."

Detailed meaning of baffle

It can also mean to frustrate or thwart someone's attempts to achieve a goal or complete a task. Baffle can be used in many different contexts, such as in discussions of complex or abstract ideas, in situations where someone is trying to solve a problem or puzzle, or in interactions with other people. For example, a person might be baffled by a difficult math problem, or by a cryptic message from someone. The noun form of "baffle" is also used to describe an object or device that is designed to obstruct or redirect the flow of a fluid, gas, or sound. It can be used in engineering, mechanical and acoustics engineering.

Example sentences of baffle

1. The complex riddle continued to baffle even the brightest minds.
2. Her cryptic message did nothing but baffle those who received it.
3. The magician's tricks never failed to baffle the audience.
4. The sudden turn of events seemed to baffle everyone in the room.
5. The scientist's groundbreaking discovery threatened to baffle conventional wisdom.
6. The intricate puzzle was designed to baffle even the most experienced solvers.

History and etymology of baffle

The verb 'baffle' has an intriguing etymology that takes us back to the 16th century and likely originated from the Scots word 'bawchill,' which meant 'to disgrace' or 'to treat with contempt.' It later evolved into the English word 'baffle' with its modern meaning. The precise origin of 'bawchill' is uncertain, but it may have been influenced by the French word 'bafouer,' which means 'to ridicule' or 'to mock.' Therefore, when we delve into the etymology of 'baffle,' we find its roots in the concept of causing confusion or perplexity, often by presenting something that is difficult to understand or make sense of. The historical connotations of disgrace and ridicule in its origins suggest a sense of frustration or bewilderment when confronted with something that defies comprehension, which aligns with its contemporary usage.

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Further usage examples of baffle

1. The unfamiliar language on the street signs began to baffle tourists.
2. The paradoxical nature of the situation continued to baffle investigators.
3. The unexpected twist in the plot managed to baffle even the most astute readers.
4. The teacher's explanation only seemed to baffle the students further.
5. The professor's explanation only served to further baffle the students.
6. The intricate plot twists of the movie baffle even the most astute viewers.
7. The cryptic message in the riddle continues to baffle detectives.
8. The scientific discovery has the potential to baffle researchers around the world.
9. The unexpected turn of events in the story left readers baffled.
10. The enigmatic artwork is designed to provoke thought and baffle observers.
11. The cryptic crossword puzzle is known to baffle even the most experienced solvers.
12. The complex math problem managed to baffle the entire class.
13. The strange behavior of the animal continues to baffle scientists.
14. The sudden disappearance of the artifact baffles historians.
15. The contradictory statements from the witness baffle the jury.
16. The malfunctioning machine has engineers puzzled and baffled.
17. The extraordinary talent of the young musician never fails to baffle audiences.
18. The bizarre weather patterns in the region baffle meteorologists.
19. The unique architecture of the building baffle architects and designers.
20. The foreign language's grammar rules continue to baffle language learners.
21. The eccentric inventor's inventions often baffle critics and experts.