Talk:meander
Maeander - a river in Phrygia known for its winding course --SteveBKK 22:55, 7 February 2007 (UTC)
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Rfv-sense "Perplexity". The OED has a somewhat similar sense "b. fig. Confusing and bewildering ways; intricacies (of affairs, the law, a subject, etc.). Obs.", but almost all of their citations are better interpreted — and are interpreted by other dictionaries I can find them in, like Samuel Johnson's — as being the "circuitous path/journey" sense.
(Their citations are: "1576 Fleming Panopl. Epist. 285 They being ouerwhelmed in Meanders of mischiefes. 1631 R. H. Arraignm. Whole Creature i. 5 He was in such Meanders of miserie and labyrinths of troubles. 1652 H. L'Estrange Amer. no Jewes 71 There are many Meanders and windings in this question of Plantation. 1712 Arbuthnot John Bull 1. vi. Ten long years did Hocus steer his Cause through all the meanders of the Law. 1759 Franklin Ess. Wks. 1840 III. 132 In this purpose I am ready . . until by better information out of England, we shall be led out of these state meanders.")
- -sche (discuss) 20:17, 17 March 2023 (UTC)
- It is telling that in all uses we find the plural, whereas perplexity as a confounding aspect of something problematic is quite commonly used in the singular. The juxtapositions (“Meanders” — "labyrinths”; “Meanders” — "windings”) and the metaphors (“steer through the meanders”; “lead out of the meanders”) strongly indicate these are figurative uses of sense 2. --Lambiam 19:37, 20 March 2023 (UTC)
- Failed. - -sche (discuss) 17:17, 7 June 2023 (UTC)