Definition of "baffle" in English

verb

1. To confuse or perplex (someone) completely; to bewilder, to confound, to puzzle.

   • I am baffled by the contradictions and omissions in the instructions.
   • They were baffled as to how the confusion could have arisen.

2. To defeat, frustrate, or thwart (someone or their efforts, plans, etc.); to confound, to foil.

3. To dampen, muffle, restrain, or otherwise control (a fluid, or waves travelling through a fluid such as light or sound).

4. To deceive or hoodwink (someone); to gull.

5. Followed by away or out: to deprive of (something) through cheating or manipulation; also (followed by out of), to deprive of something by cheating or manipulating (someone).

6. To expend effort or struggle in vain.

   • The ship, baffling with the winds, moved not an inch.

7. To argue or complain in a petty or trivial manner; to quibble.

noun

1. A device used to dampen, muffle, restrain, or otherwise control the movement of a fluid, or waves travelling through a fluid such as light or sound; specifically, a surface positioned inside an open area to inhibit direct motion from one place to another without preventing motion altogether.

   • sound baffle
   • Tanker trucks use baffles to keep the liquids inside from sloshing around.

2. A lever for operating the throttle valve of a winding engine.

3. A barrier designed to obstruct and confuse enemies, rendering them vulnerable.

4. (obsolete, countable) An argument or objection based on an ambiguity of wording or similar trivial circumstance; a minor complaint; a quibble.

verb

1. To publicly disgrace (someone); specifically, a recreant knight.

2. (generally) To treat (someone) with contempt; to disgrace; also, to speak of (someone or something) in contemptuous terms; to speak ill of, to vilify.

noun

1. (obsolete, uncountable) Intentional insult; affront; also, disgrace; (countable) an instance of this.