confusticate
Americanverb (used with object)
Etymology
Origin of confusticate
First recorded in 1845–50; pseudo-Latinism formed from English confuse; used by J.R.R. Tolkien in The Hobbit
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Ah! the early frost is ruthless, and the caterpillar's cruel, But, to spifflicate the plum or give the gooseberry its gruel, To confusticate the apple, or to scrumplicate the pear, Discombobulate the cherry, make the grower tear his hair, And in general play old gooseberry with the orchard and the garden, Till the Autumn crop won't fetch the grumpy farmer "a brass farden," There is nothing half so ogreish as the Bullfinch and his chums, Those imps of devastation—as regards our pears and plums.
From Project Gutenberg
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.