befuddle etymology

Etymology:

  • Middle English: befudleden, from "be-" (intensive prefix) + "fuddle" (to intoxicate, from Middle English "fudlen," probably from the Middle Low German "vudele," of unknown origin)

Meaning:

  • To confuse or bewilder; to make (someone) unable to think clearly

Origin:

The origin of "befuddle" can be traced back to the early 15th century, when it was first used in the sense of "to make drunk" or "to intoxicate." In the 16th century, the word began to be used in a broader sense, meaning "to confuse" or "to bewilder." This usage likely developed from the idea that intoxication can lead to confusion and impaired thinking.

The prefix "be-" in "befuddle" serves to intensify the meaning of the word, suggesting that the confusion or bewilderment caused is severe.

befuddle relate terms

  • fuddle

    Etymology Middle English fudlen fudlen from Old English fudelian gefydelian to bec

  • befuddle

    Etymology Middle English befudleden from be intensive prefix fuddle to into

  • bylaw

    Etymology Bylaw is a compound word composed of two separate terms By In legal context

  • bygones

    Etymology The word bygones is derived from two Old English words bygan past gān t

  • bystander

    Etymology The word bystander derives from the Middle English term bystandere circa 1

  • confuse

    Etymology refers to the origin and development of words It traces the historical changes

  • throw

    Etymology Old English thragan Proto Germanic þragjaną Proto Indo European d

  • gravel

    Etymology Middle English gravele gravil 13th century Old French gravele gravel 1

  • intoxicate

    Etymology The word intoxicate comes from the Latin word intoxicare which means to p

  • peso

    Etymology Spanish peso Latin pensum payment Meaning and Origin The term peso o

  • pose

    Etymology The word pose has two etymological roots Old French poser to place arra

  • abet

    Etymology Abet Middle English from Old French abeter from abeter infinitive of abet

  • beat

    Etymology The word beat has several origins Old English béatan to strike hit

  • beta

    Etymology of beta The word beta comes from the second letter of the Greek alphabet