bewildered
UK[bɪˈwɪldəd]US[bɪˈwɪldərd]
adj
completely confused or puzzled.
adj
lost and disoriented.
Morpheme Breakdown
be
wilder
ed
be
about, around, thoroughly
wilder
to lead astray or lose in pathless places
ed
Etymology
the word 'bewildered' originates from the english verb 'bewilder', which first appeared in the 1680s. it is formed from the intensive prefix 'be-' combined with the verb 'wilder', an older term meaning to lead someone astray into wild or trackless places. 'wilder' itself likely derives from 'wild', a word of germanic origin. thus, the literal sense of being 'thoroughly led into the wild' evolved into the modern abstract meaning of being utterly confused, lost, or perplexed, as if one's mental bearings have been completely disoriented.
Analysis
Structure: be + wilder + ed
be- (old english, prefix meaning 'about, around, thoroughly'); wilder (english, verb meaning 'to lead astray or lose in pathless places'); -ed (old english, suffix forming past participles and adjectives).
Examples
the complex instructions left the new students completely bewildered.
she stood at the crossroads, bewildered by the lack of signposts.
the sudden change in policy has bewildered many industry experts.