See Also: confuse(1)(dictionary)
confuse(2)(dictionary)
confuse(dictionary)

confuse(2) (iou)



confuse verb trans. ME.
[Orig. confused pa. pple, formed as CONFUSE adjective + -ED1; active voice is back-form., only in isolated use before 19.]
1. Rout, bring to ruin. Only in ME.
2. Discomfit in mind or feelings; abash, bewilder, perplex. LME.
R. Hughes Question her.., perhaps frighten her, at any rate confuse her and make her contradict herself. F. Weldon The signposts were turned the wrong way round to confuse German spies.
3. Throw into disorder or confusion. LME.
Dickens I fear I might confuse your arrangements by interfering. Aldous Huxley His thoughts were confused, but the muddle was bright and violent..not foggily languid.
4. Mix up or mingle physically. Only in pass. M16.
T. Medwin Their arms, legs, and bodies were confused together.
5. Mix up in the mind; fail to distinguish. E17.
J. Ruskin We in reality confuse wealth with money. Day Lewis I have been confused with the..aviator, Cecil Lewis.
confused adjective that has been confused; bewildered, perplexed; disorderly, chaotic, lacking clear distinction of elements: LME.
confusedly adverb E16.
confusedness noun L16.
confusible adjective (a) = CONFUSABLE; (b) confusing, involving confusion: LME.
confusing ppl adjective perplexing, bewildering M19.
confusingly adverb M19.
confusive adjective that tends to confuse E17-L18.