bewilder English · revision 2387

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /bɪˈwɪldə(ɹ)/ ''(UK)''; /bɪˈwɪldɚ/ ''(US)''^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[af|en|be-|wilder|t1=thoroughly|t2=to lead astray, lure into the wilds]].^(Etymonline)^(AHD)^(Barnhart 1995)^(RHWU) The archaic verb ''wilder'' (1613) is probably a back-formation from ''wilderness''.^(AHD)^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ To confuse in mental perception, to perplex (1684);^(OED 1989)^(MW Collegiate)^(Barnhart 1995) Barnhart notes that it first occurs as the participle ''bewildered''.^(Barnhart 1995) The literal sense, “to lose someone in pathless places”, follows in the OED from 1685.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The American Heritage Dictionary argues that the literal sense, “to make someone lose their way”, is the clue to the word's origin, even though the figurative sense “to confuse” has always been more common.^(AHD) Etymonline compares ''wildered'' “at a loss” (1640s) and notes earlier words of similar meaning, ''bewhape'' and ''bewhatle''.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1613 – ''wilder'', to cause to lose one's way.^(AHD)

+ * 1684 – ''bewildered'', to confuse or perplex.^(OED 1989)^(MW Collegiate)^(Barnhart 1995)

+ * 1685 – to lose in pathless places.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Verb===

+ # To confuse or puzzle completely, especially through a great number or variety of things or considerations.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Wiktionary)

+ # To make someone lose their bearings; to disorient.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[bewilderedly]]

+ * [[bewilderedness]]

+ * [[bewilderingly]]

+ * [[bewildered]]

+ * [[bewilderment]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[wilderness]]

+ * [[wild]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}