puzzle /(pŭz"z'l)/

puz·zle

puzzle

n.
  1. Something which perplexes or embarrasses; especially, a toy or a problem contrived for testing ingenuity; also, something exhibiting marvelous skill in making.
  2. The state of being puzzled; perplexity; as, to be in a puzzle.

puzzle

v. t.

imp. & p. p. puzzled; p. pr. & vb. n. puzzling

  1. To perplex; to confuse; to embarrass; to put to a stand; to nonplus.
    A very shrewd disputant in those points is dexterous in puzzling others.
    He is perpetually puzzled and perplexed amidst his own blunders.
  2. To make intricate; to entangle.
    They disentangle from the puzzled skein.
    The ways of Heaven are dark and intricate, Puzzled in mazes, and perplexed with error.
  3. To solve by ingenuity, as a puzzle; -- followed by out; as, to puzzle out a mystery.

Puzzle

v. i.
  1. To be bewildered, or perplexed.
    A puzzling fool, that heeds nothing.
  2. To work, as at a puzzle; as, to puzzle over a problem.