bafflingness
|baf-fling-ness|
/ˈbæflɪŋnəs/
(baffle)
confused
Etymology
'bafflingness' originates from English, specifically the word 'baffle', where 'baffle' meant 'to perplex or thwart'.
'baffle' entered English in the 17th century (from dialectal or imitative origins) and developed into the adjective 'baffling' and the noun-forming suffix '-ness', producing 'bafflingness' to denote the state or quality.
Initially, 'baffle' carried senses of 'check, defeat, or embarrass (someone)'; over time the predominant sense shifted toward 'to perplex or bewilder', and 'bafflingness' now denotes the quality of causing such perplexity.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the quality, state, or degree of being baffling; the extent to which something is puzzling or hard to understand.
The bafflingness of the instructions made the task take much longer than expected.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Idioms
Last updated: 2025/12/30 18:30