bemuse

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

Contents 1 English 1.1 Etymology 1.2 Pronunciation 1.3 Verb 1.3.1 Translations

[edit] English

[edit] Etymology

be- + muse

[edit] Pronunciation

• (UK, US) IPA: /bɪˈmjuːz/, /bəˈmjuːz/, SAMPA: /bI"mju:z/
•  Audio (US)^{help, file}

[edit] Verb

to bemuse (third-person singular simple present bemuses, present participle bemusing, simple past and past participle bemused)

1. (transitive) To confuse or bewilder.

   "For God's sake, why do people keep using 'bemused' as if it means 'amused'?" asked the bemused editor.

   • 1735 A parson much be-mus'd in beer. — Alexander Pope, Satires of Dr. Donne versified
   • 1771 [With] fairy tales bemused the shepherd lies. — James Foot, Penseroso
   • 1847 The bad metaphysics with which they bemuse themselves. — Hugh Miller, First Impressions of England and its people
2. (archaic, humorous) To devote to the Muses.
   • 1705 When those incorrigible things, Poets, are once irrecoverably Be-mus'd. — Alexander Pope, Letters

[edit] Translations