perplex

Where does the word "perplex" come from? It comes from Latin per plicare, passing through Latin before entering English (1400s).

Perplex’s story begins in Latin: per plicare meant “to entangle thoroughly.” To entangle thoroughly, from per- (thoroughly) and plicare (to fold). Within Latin, it grew into perplexus by ancient. Entangled, confused, from perplicare. It reached English by 1400s as perplex. Settled as the English word for confusing or puzzling someone. Today, perplex means to confuse or puzzle someone, leaving them uncertain what to think.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient per plicare "to entangle thoroughly", to entangle thoroughly, from per- (thoroughly) and plicare (to fold).
2. Stage 2 · Latin · ancient perplexus "entangled, confused", entangled, confused, from perplicare.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1400s perplex "to confuse or puzzle someone", settled as the English word for confusing or puzzling someone.