perplexed

英 [pə'plekst] 美 [pər'plekst]

adj.困惑的；不知所措的；纠缠不清的

动词perplex的过去式和过去分词

◉Etymology

“Perplexed”源自拉丁语“perplexus”，意为“缠绕”或“错综复杂”。这个词的词根是“per-”，表示“完全”或“彻底”，“-plexus”则表示“缠绕”或“交织”。因此，“perplexed”一词的本义是指某种情况或问题完全地、彻底地缠绕在一起，引申为使某人感到困惑或迷惘。

◉外刊例句

① 《纽约时报》, 2024-11-10

Many voters were perplexed by the complex tax reform proposals.

许多选民对复杂的税制改革提案感到困惑。

② 《卫报》, 2024-10-15

The jury was perplexed by the conflicting testimonies presented during the trial.

陪审团对审判中提供的矛盾证词感到困惑。

◉经典名著

① 《呼啸山庄》（Wuthering Heights）, 艾米莉·勃朗特, 1847

Catherine was perplexed by Heathcliff’s sudden change in demeanor.

凯西对希斯克利夫突如其来的行为变化感到困惑。

② 《福尔摩斯探案集》（Sherlock Holmes）, 阿瑟·柯南·道尔, 1887-1927

Sherlock Holmes was perplexed by the strange footprints outside the house.

夏洛克·福尔摩斯对房子外面的奇怪脚印感到困惑。

◉Usage Examples

(1) We were perplexed by his failure to answer the letter.

(2) When new math was introduced into schools, many parents were perplexed by it.

(3) Faced with that dilemma, he was perplexed.

(1) 他何以不回信,我们大惑不解。

(2) 当学校开设新的数学课时，许多家长对此感到迷惑不解。

(3) 他面对进退两难的局面，不知如何是好。

◉Usage Notes

Use the adjective perplexed to describe someone who is utterly baffled or confused. If you've ever studied for the wrong test and been surprised and confused by the exam in front of you, you've been perplexed.

There's a particular bewildered kind of facial expression that goes along with the word perplexed. It's the kind of emotion that's hard to disguise. The Latin root perplexus means "confused or entangled," and "entangled" is a great way to imagine the tangled thoughts and confusion of someone who's perplexed.

◉Colins

1. [ADJ-GRADED 能被表示程度的副词或介词词组修饰的形容词]困惑的；迷惑不解的 If you are perplexed, you feel confused and slightly worried by something because you do not understand it. [usu v-link ADJ]

She is perplexed about what to do for her daughter...

她不知道该为女儿做些什么。

Japan's perplexed bankers need not worry.

迷惑不解的日本银行家不必担心。