Word of the Day 11.12.08

non·plus (nn-pls)

tr.v. non·plused also non·plussed, non·plus·ing also non·plus·sing, non·plus·es also non·plus·ses

To put at a loss as to what to think, say, or do; bewilder.

n.

A state of perplexity, confusion, or bewilderment.

[From Latin nn pls, no more : nn, not; see non- + pls, more; see pel-1 in Indo-European roots.]

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition copyright ©2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2003. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

Verb

1.

nonplus – be a mystery or bewildering to; “This beats me!”; “Got me–I don’t know the answer!”; “a vexing problem”; “This question really stuck me”

bewilder, dumbfound, flummox, baffle, mystify, perplex, puzzle, stupefy, amaze, gravel, vex, pose, stick, beat, get

stump, mix up – cause to be perplexed or confounded; “This problem stumped her”

befuddle, confound, confuse, discombobulate, fox, bedevil, fuddle, throw – be confusing or perplexing to; cause to be unable to think clearly; “These questions confuse even the experts”; “This question completely threw me”; “This question befuddled even the teacher”

riddle – set a difficult problem or riddle; “riddle me a riddle”

elude, escape – be incomprehensible to; escape understanding by; “What you are seeing in him eludes me”

Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2008 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.

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Posted on November 12, 2008 by admin

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