confound
UK: kənˈfaʊnd | US: kənˈfaʊnd
vt. to cause surprise or confusion; to perplex
vt. to mix up or mistake one thing for another
vt. (archaic) to defeat or overthrow
confound = con<together> + found<pour>
- con (Latin con-, meaning "together" or "completely")
- found (Latin fundere, meaning "to pour"; evolved into Old French confondre, meaning "to mix or confuse")
Etymology Origin:
The word confound traces back to Latin confundere ("to mix together, confuse"), combining con- (intensifying prefix) and fundere ("to pour"). The original sense was literal—pouring liquids together to create a mixture—but it later evolved metaphorically to mean "to confuse" or "to overwhelm." By the 14th century, it entered English via Old French, retaining its dual meaning of physical mixing and mental bewilderment. The archaic sense of "to defeat" reflects the idea of overwhelming an opponent.
The complex instructions confounded the new employees.
She confounded her critics by succeeding against all odds.
The twins look so alike that they often confound their teachers.
His abrupt change of opinion confounded everyone at the meeting.
(Archaic) The army was confounded by the sudden ambush.