Definition

1. Verb:

   • To confuse or perplex someone completely: To cause someone to be unable to understand or explain something.
   • To hinder, check, or defeat a plan, effort, or action: To prevent something from happening or being successful.
   • (Technical) To regulate the flow of something: To control, check, or deflect the flow of a fluid, sound, or energy.

2. Noun:

   • (Technical) A device used to hinder, regulate, or deflect flow: A plate, screen, or other construction used to control the passage of fluid, sound, or light.

Examples of Usage

• Verb (to confuse):
  • The magician's trick completely baffled the audience.
  • The sudden disappearance of the files baffled the investigators.
• Verb (to hinder):
  • The security system baffled all attempts to break in.
  • Strong winds baffled the ship's progress.
• Noun (technical device):
  • The speaker cabinet has a built-in baffle to improve sound quality.
  • Engineers installed a baffle in the pipe to reduce turbulence.

Advanced Usage

• "to be baffled by": To be extremely confused or perplexed by something.
  • Scientists were baffled by the unusual results of the experiment.
• "baffling" (adjective): Describing something that causes great confusion.
  • The instructions were so baffling that no one could assemble the furniture.

Variants and Related Words

• Bafflement (noun): A state of complete confusion or perplexity.
  • His sudden resignation caused widespread bafflement among his colleagues.
• Baffler (noun): Something that baffles; a puzzle or a problem.
  • The final clue in the mystery was a real baffler.

Synonyms

• Perplex, bewilder, mystify, puzzle, confuse (for the meaning of causing confusion).
• Thwart, frustrate, foil, hinder, impede (for the meaning of hindering a plan).

Related Phrases

• Baffle plate: A specific type of baffle, often a flat plate used to control flow.
  • The mechanic replaced the cracked baffle plate in the engine.

Noun

1. a flat plate that controls or directs the flow of fluid or energy

Verb

1. check the emission of (sound)
2. hinder or prevent (the efforts, plans, or desires) of
   • What ultimately frustrated every challenger was Ruth's amazing September surge
   • foil your opponent
3. be a mystery or bewildering to
   • This beats me!
   • Got me--I don't know the answer!
   • a vexing problem
   • This question really stuck me