Liberal Dictionary English Dictionary
perplexity [per-plek-si-tee] ExamplesWord Origin noun, plural per·plex·i·ties.
- the state of being perplexed; confusion; uncertainty.
- something that perplexes: a case plagued with perplexities.
- a tangled, involved, or confused condition or situation.
Origin of perplexity 1350–1400; Middle English perplexite Old French Late Latin perplexitās, equivalent to Latin perplex(us) (see perplexed) + -itās -ity Related Words for perplexities puzzlement, bewilderment, riddle, conundrum, puzzle, mystification, stickler, question, cliffhanger, charade, subtlety, occult, cryptogram, crux, puzzler, enigma, secrecy, poser, why, twister Examples from the Web for perplexities Contemporary Examples of perplexities
He studied the complexities of the English language and the perplexities of religious faith.
Why George Carlin Deserves His Own Street
Kevin Bartini
October 21, 2014
The history of exhibiting violence photojournalism is fraught with perplexities.
Obama Was Right to Censor the Osama bin Laden Photo
Harold Evans
May 5, 2011
Deborah Tannen knows all about sisterhood, sister-speak, and the pitfalls and perplexities of sibling rivalry.
Deborah Tannen on Sisterly Love
Sandra McElwaine
September 12, 2009
The labyrinth of perplexities that Abigail surveyed best summarized the vexations of the delegates in Philadelphia.
Edith B. Gelles
April 19, 2009
Historical Examples of perplexities
This was an unexpected piece of luck in the midst of my perplexities.
The Captain of the Pole-Star and Other Tales
Arthur Conan Doyle
Yet you ask me, a reliable machine, to help you in your perplexities?
Nalbro Bartley
He was utterly worn out that evening by all the perplexities of his death-bed.
Joseph Conrad and F.M. Hueffer
His perplexities related to other things than the fear of any fall from honour.
David Christie Murray
As the summer advanced the perplexities of the Guises increased.
The Rise of the Hugenots, Vol. 1 (of 2)
Henry Martyn Baird
British Dictionary definitions for perplexities perplexity noun plural -ties
- the state of being perplexed
- the state of being intricate or complicated
- something that perplexes
Word Origin and History for perplexities perplexity n.
c.1300, “bewilderment,” from Old French perplexite “confusion, perplexity,” from Late Latin perplexitatem (nominative perplexitas), from Latin perplexus “confused, involved, interwoven,” from per- “completely” + plexus “entangled,” past participle of plectere “to twine” (see complex (adj.)). From 1590s as “something that causes perplexity.”