late 14c. as an adjective, "perplexed, puzzled, bewildered," from Latin perplexus "involved, confused, intricate;" but Latin had no corresponding verb *perplectere. The Latin compound would be per "through" (see per) + plexus "entangled," past participle of plectere "to twine, braid, fold" (see complex (adj.)).
The form of the English adjective shifted to perplexed by late 15c., probably to conform to other past participle adjectives. The verb is latest attested of the group, in 1590s, evidently a back-formation from the adjective. Related: Perplexing, which well describes the history of the word.
雙語例句
1. We're dismal enough without conjuring up ghosts and visions to perplex us.
用不著招神現(xiàn)鬼來纏我們,我們已夠慘的啦.
來自辭典例句
2. This problem is hard enough to perplex even the teacher.
這個問題確實很難,以至于老師都迷惑不解.
來自辭典例句
3. I have no wish to perplex the issue.
我不想使問題復(fù)雜化.
來自辭典例句
4. This maker continues to perplex me with this wine.
這個制造商繼續(xù)用酒困擾我.
來自互聯(lián)網(wǎng)
5. In reality, careers and the workplace perplex me entirely.