Definition of: puzzle

(puz′əl) v. ·zled, ·zling v.t.
1. To confuse or perplex; mystify.
2. To solve by investigation and study, as something perplexing: with out.
—v.i.
3. To be perplexed or confused. See synonyms under PERPLEX.
—to puzzle over To attempt to understand or solve.
—noun
1. A thing difficult to understand or explain; perplexing problem; an enigma or problem.
2. Something, as a toy, purposely arranged so as to require time, patience, and ingenuity to solve its intricacies.
3. The state of being puzzled; a quandary; perplexity. See synonyms under RIDDLE².
—cross–word puzzle A pattern of white and black spaces, of which the white spaces are to be filled with letters that form words, vertically, horizontally, or diagonally, to agree with accompanying definitions. [Related to ME poselet confused; ult. origin unknown]