Link Centre Dictionary

baffle

UK/ˈbæfl̩/ US/ˈbæf(ə)l/ uncommon archaic obsolete us
verb (3) noun (1)

verb

1.

be a mystery or bewildering to

  • “This beats me!”
  • “Got me--I don”
  • “;”
  • “;”
Synonyms
2.

hinder or prevent (the efforts, plans, or desires) of

  • “What ultimately frustrated every challenger was Ruth”
  • “;”
Synonyms
3.

check the emission of (sound)

Synonyms

noun

1.

a flat plate that controls or directs the flow of fluid or energy

Synonyms

Origin

The origin of the verb is uncertain; it is possibly: * from French bafouer, baffoüer (“to abuse, revile; to confuse, baffle; to deceive; to flout; to scorn”), imitative of someone making a disdainful sound by expelling air quickly through pouted lips (compare Occitan baf (interjection expressing disdain)); or * from French befer, beffer, beffler (“(obsolete) to deceive; to mock, ridicule”) (compare Old French befe, beffe, buffe (“deception; mockery”); beferie (“deceit; quibbling”)), possibly from bafouer: see above. The noun is derived from the verb. Cognates * Italian beffare (“(verb) to deride, mock”), beffa (“(noun) banter; mockery”) * Occitan bafar (“(verb) to deride, mock”), bafa (“(noun) banter; mockery”) * Old Spanish bafa (modern Spanish befa (“(noun) banter; mockery”)) * Spanish befar (“(verb) to deride, mock”)

Phrases

  • baffle painting
  • baffling wind

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See also

WordNet 2.1 (Princeton University). Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). CMU Pronouncing Dictionary. WordNet 2.1 Copyright Princeton University. All rights reserved. Wiktionary content is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike Licence.