n. 1. Something, such as a game, toy, or problem, that requires ingenuity and often persistence in solving or assembling. 2. Something that baffles or confuses; an enigma: the puzzle of the author's true identity. 3. The condition of being perplexed; bewilderment: I'm really in a puzzle over how this happened. v. puz·zled, puz·zling, puz·zles v.tr. 1. To baffle or confuse mentally by presenting or being a difficult problem or matter. See Synonyms at perplex. 2. To clarify or solve (something confusing) by reasoning or study: He puzzled out the significance of the statement. v.intr. 1. To be perplexed. 2. To ponder over a problem in an effort to solve or understand it. [Origin unknown.] puzzler n. |
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