Main Entry: 1puz·zle
Pronunciation: \ˈpə-zəl\
Function: verb
Inflected Form(s): puz·zled; puz·zling \ˈpə-zə-liŋ, ˈpəz-liŋ\
Etymology: origin unknown
Date: 1582
transitive verb
1 : to offer or represent to (as a person) a problem difficult to solve or a situation difficult to resolve : challenge mentally; also : to exert (as oneself) over such a problem or situation {they puzzled their wits to find a solution}
2 archaic : complicate, entangle
3 : to solve with difficulty or ingenuity {puzzle out an answer to a riddle}
2 archaic : complicate, entangle
3 : to solve with difficulty or ingenuity {puzzle out an answer to a riddle}
intransitive verb
1 : to be uncertain as to action or choice
2 : to attempt a solution of a puzzle by guesswork or experiment {puzzle over the mystery}
2 : to attempt a solution of a puzzle by guesswork or experiment {puzzle over the mystery}
— puz·zler \ˈpə-zə-lər, ˈpəz-lər\ noun
