mystify
verb
- to puzzle, perplex
Wiktionary
Pronunciation: /ˈmɪstɪfaɪ/
verb
Etymology: From French mystifier, from Ancient Greek μυστικός (mustikós, “secret, mystic”) + Latin -ficare.
- To thoroughly confuse, befuddle, or bewilder.
“Solar eclipses continued to mystify ancient humans for thousands of years.”
“I had occasion […] to make a somewhat long business trip to Chicago, and on my return […] I found Farrar awaiting me in the railway station. He smiled his wonted fraction by way of greeting, […], and finally leading me to his buggy, turned and drove out of town. I was completely mystified at such an unusual proceeding.”