Puzzle  —n. 1 difficult or confusing problem. 2 problem or toy designed to test knowledge or ingenuity. —v. (-ling) 1 confound or disconcert mentally. 2 (usu. Foll. By over etc.) Be perplexed (about). 3 (usu. As puzzling adj.) Require much mental effort (puzzling situation). 4 (foll. By out) solve or understand by hard thought.  puzzlement n. [origin unknown]