baffle

== English == === Pronunciation === (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /ˈbæfl̩/ (General American) IPA(key): /ˈbæf(ə)l/ Rhymes: -æfəl Hyphenation: baf‧fle === Etymology 1 === 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. ==== Verb ==== baffle (third-person singular simple present baffles, present participle baffling, simple past and past participle baffled) (transitive) To confuse or perplex (someone) completely; to bewilder, to confound, to puzzle. [from 17th c.] Synonyms: see Thesaurus:confuse Antonyms: clarify, enlighten, unbaffle (archaic) To defeat, frustrate, or thwart (someone or their efforts, plans, etc.); to confound, to foil. [from 17th c.] Synonyms: see Thesaurus:defeat (specifically, nautical) Of weather or wind: to hinder or prevent (a ship or its crew) from advancing. (technology) To dampen, muffle, restrain, or otherwise control (a fluid, or waves travelling through a fluid such as light or sound). (obsolete) To deceive or hoodwink (someone); to gull. [16th–18th c.] Followed by away or out: to deprive of (something) through cheating or manipulation; also (followed by out of), to deprive of something by cheating or manipulating (someone). (intransitive) To expend effort or struggle in vain. [from 19th c.] Synonym: (Northern England) maffle (obsolete) To argue or complain in a petty or trivial manner; to quibble. ===== Conjugation ===== ===== Alternative forms ===== baffol, bafful (both obsolete) ===== Derived terms ===== ===== Translations ===== ==== Noun ==== baffle (countable and uncountable, plural baffles) (countable, technology) A device used to dampen, muffle, restrain, or otherwise control the movement of a fluid, or waves travelling through a fluid such as light or sound; specifically, a surface positioned inside an open area to inhibit direct motion from one place to another without preventing motion altogether. sound baffle (US, dialectal, coal mining) A lever for operating the throttle valve of a winding engine. A barrier designed to obstruct and confuse enemies, rendering them vulnerable. (obsolete, countable) An argument or objection based on an ambiguity of wording or similar trivial circumstance; a minor complaint; a quibble. ===== Derived terms ===== ===== Descendants ===== → French: baffle → Spanish: bafle ===== Translations ===== === Etymology 2 === The origin of the verb is uncertain; it is possibly from Scots bauchle (“to annoy; to cause harm or trouble to; to disgrace; to jilt; to treat with contempt”), from bauchle (“useless or worn-out person or thing; clumsy work, bungle; clumsy or untidy person; contemptible person; laughing stock”); further etymology uncertain, possibly related to bauch (“feeble, sorry; backward, foolish”, adjective), possibly related to Old Norse bagr (“awkward, clumsy”), bāgr (“hard up, poor; uneasy”) The noun is derived from the verb. ==== Verb ==== baffle (third-person singular simple present baffles, present participle baffling, simple past and past participle baffled) (transitive, obsolete) To publicly disgrace (someone); specifically, a recreant knight. [16th–17th c.] (generally) To treat (someone) with contempt; to disgrace; also, to speak of (someone or something) in contemptuous terms; to speak ill of, to vilify. [16th–17th c.] ==== Noun ==== baffle (countable and uncountable, plural baffles) (obsolete, uncountable) Intentional insult; affront; also, disgrace; (countable) an instance of this. === References === === Further reading === sound baffle on Wikipedia.Wikipedia baffle (disambiguation) on Wikipedia.Wikipedia Douglas Harper (2001–2026), “baffle”, in Online Etymology Dictionary. == French == === Etymology === Borrowed from English baffle. === Pronunciation === IPA(key): /bafl/ === Noun === baffle m or f (plural baffles) speaker (audio) Synonym: haut-parleur