Bemuzzled

/bɪˈmʌzəld/ adjective

Definition

Confused or bewildered, as if your mind is clouded or muzzled.

Etymology

From 'be-' (a prefix meaning to make or cause to be) combined with 'muzzle,' which comes from Middle French 'musel' meaning to wrap or bind. The word evolved to mean mentally confused by the early 1600s.

Kelly Says

This word fell out of common use centuries ago, but shows how English loved stacking 'be-' prefixes onto adjectives to create vivid descriptions—we see remnants in 'bemused' today, which originally meant the same thing!

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