Emily Dickinson Lexicon

PER-PLEX', v.t. [L. perplexus, perplexor; per and plector, to twist, from the root of Gr. πλεκω, L. plico, to fold.]

1. To make intricate; to involve; to entangle; to make complicated and difficult to be understood or unraveled. What was thought obscure, perplexed and too hard for our weak parts, will lie open to the understanding in a fair view. – Locke.
2. To embarrass; to puzzle; to distract; to tease with suspense, anxiety or ambiguity. We can distinguish no general truths, or at least shall be apt to perplex the mind. – Locke. We are perplexed, but not in despair. – 2 Cor. iv.
3. To plague; to vex. – Glanville.