muddle

== English == === Pronunciation === (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /ˈmʌdl̩/ (General American) IPA(key): /ˈmʌd(ə)l/ Rhymes: -ʌdəl Hyphenation: mud‧dle === Etymology 1 === From Middle English modelen (attested in present participle modeland (“wallowing”)), from Middle Dutch moddelen (“to make muddy”), from modde, mod (“mud”) (Modern Dutch modder). By surface analysis, mud +‎ -le. Compare German Kuddelmuddel. ==== Verb ==== muddle (third-person singular simple present muddles, present participle muddling, simple past and past participle muddled) To mix together, to mix up; to confuse. To mash slightly for use in a cocktail. To dabble in mud. c. 1721-1722, Jonathan Swift, The Progress of Marriage Young ducklings foster'd by a hen; But, when let out, they run and muddle To make turbid or muddy. To think and act in a confused, aimless way. To cloud or stupefy; to render stupid with liquor; to intoxicate partially. To waste or misuse, as one does who is stupid or intoxicated. ===== Translations ===== ==== Noun ==== muddle (plural muddles) A mixture; a confusion; a garble. (cooking and cocktails) A mixture of crushed ingredients, as prepared with a muddler. (archaic) A muddy mess. ===== Related terms ===== mudpuddle ===== Translations ===== ==== Derived terms ==== === Etymology 2 === ==== Noun ==== muddle (plural muddles) (India, historical) A servant's attendant; underservant. ===== References ===== Henry Yule; A[rthur] C[oke] Burnell (1903), “muddle”, in William Crooke, editor, Hobson-Jobson […] , London: John Murray, […].