PERPLEXITY

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does perplexity mean? 

• PERPLEXITY (noun)
  The noun PERPLEXITY has 1 sense:

1. trouble or confusion resulting from complexity

  Familiarity information: PERPLEXITY used as a noun is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• PERPLEXITY (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Trouble or confusion resulting from complexity

Classified under:

Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents

Hypernyms ("perplexity" is a kind of...):

confusedness; confusion; disarray; mental confusion; muddiness (a mental state characterized by a lack of clear and orderly thought and behavior)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "perplexity"):

closed book; enigma; mystery; secret (something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained)

maze; snarl; tangle (something jumbled or confused)

dilemma; quandary (state of uncertainty or perplexity especially as requiring a choice between equally unfavorable options)

Derivation:

perplexed (full of difficulty or confusion or bewilderment)

 Context examples 

He laughed heartily at my perplexity.

(The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

There was wretchedness in the idea of its being serious; there was perplexity and agitation every way.

(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)

I confess that I still share my uncle’s perplexity.

(The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

"It has been many years since anyone asked me to see Oz," he said, shaking his head in perplexity.

(The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, by L. Frank Baum)

“I can't account for more than five,” said Traddles, with an air of perplexity.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

Van Helsing's sternness was somewhat relieved by a look of perplexity.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

I observed by his countenance that he was in some perplexity, and at a loss how to begin what he had to speak.

(Gulliver's Travels into several remote nations of the world, by Jonathan Swift)

On these subjects, her perplexity and distress were very great—and her mind had to pass again and again through every bitter reproach and sorrowful regret that had ever surrounded it.

(Emma, by Jane Austen)

“I know not about that,” said the big archer, scratching his head in perplexity.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

"It is strange," replied Elinor, in a most painful perplexity, "that I should never have heard him even mention your name."

(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)