—v.tr.
1 confuse or perplex (a person, one's faculties, etc.).
2 a frustrate or hinder (plans etc.). b restrain or regulate the progress of (fluids, sounds, etc.).
—n. (also baffle-plate) a device used to restrain the flow of fluid, gas, etc., through an opening, often found in microphones etc. to regulate the emission of sound.
Phrases and idioms:
baffle-board a device to prevent sound from spreading in different directions, esp. round a loudspeaker cone.
Derivatives:
bafflement n. baffling adj. bafflingly adv.
Etymology: perh. rel. to F bafouer ridicule, OF beffer mock
Useful english dictionary. 2012.