bemuse
UK[bɪˈmjuːz]US[bɪˈmjuːz]
v
to confuse or puzzle someone
v
to cause someone to be lost in thought, often in an amused or detached way
Morpheme Breakdown
be
muse
be
about, around, thoroughly
muse
to ponder, gape, idle
Etymology
the word 'bemuse' is a relatively modern english formation, first appearing in the early 18th century. it was created by combining the intensive prefix 'be-', which adds a sense of thoroughness or completeness, with the verb 'muse', meaning to think deeply or ponder. the french 'muser' originally carried connotations of idly wasting time or staring in wonder, which evolved into the english 'muse' for deep thought. thus, 'bemuse' literally means 'to thoroughly cause to muse or ponder,' which developed into its modern senses of causing bewilderment or leading someone into a state of preoccupied thought.
Analysis
Structure: be + muse
be- (from old english 'be-', a prefix meaning 'about, around, thoroughly'); muse (from middle french 'muser', meaning 'to ponder, gape, idle')
Examples
the complex instructions served only to bemuse the new recruits.
she sat, bemused by the strange turn of events, staring out the window.
his abstract philosophical arguments would often bemuse his more practical-minded colleagues.