Emily Dickinson Lexicon

CON-FUSE', v.t. [s as z. L. confusus; Fr. confus; from L. confundo. See Confound.]

1. To mix or blend things, so that they can not be distinguished. Stunning sounds and voices all confused. – Milton. Every battle of the warrior is with confused noise. – Is. ix.
2. To disorder; as, a sudden alarm confused the troops; a careless bookkeeper has confused the accounts.
3. To perplex; to render indistinct; as, the clamor confused his ideas.
4. To throw the mind into disorder; to cast down or abash; to cause to blush; to agitate by surprise, or shame; to disconcert. A sarcastic remark confused the gentleman and he could not proceed in his argument. Confused and sadly she at length replied. – Pope.