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mystify

[mis-tuh-fahy]
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verb (used with object), mys·ti·fied, mys·ti·fy·ing.
  1. to perplex (a person) by playing upon the person's credulity; bewilder purposely.
  2. to involve in mystery or obscurity.
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Origin of mystify

1805–15; < French mystifier, equivalent to mysti- (irregular combining form of mystique mystic or mystère mystery1) + -fier -fy
Related formsmys·ti·fi·ca·tion, nounmys·ti·fied·ly, adverbmys·ti·fi·er, nounmys·ti·fy·ing·ly, adverbo·ver·mys·ti·fi·ca·tion, nouno·ver·mys·ti·fy, verb (used with object), o·ver·mys·ti·fied, o·ver·mys·ti·fy·ing.un·mys·ti·fied, adjective

Synonyms

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1. fool, mislead, elude, puzzle.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for mystification

Historical Examples

  • Mr Dorrit stood rooted to the carpet, a statue of mystification.

    Little Dorrit

    Charles Dickens

  • Daily Chronicle: We have seldom read a better piece of mystification.

    Cleo The Magnificent

    Louis Zangwill

  • It was clearly a case upon which they would not admit of any mystification or deceit.

    A Day's Ride

    Charles James Lever

  • "Why, there is no end to this mystification," cried the boy, impatiently.

  • The gentleman, as I have told you before, seems devoted to mystification.

    Victory

    Joseph Conrad

British Dictionary definitions for mystification

mystify

verb -fies, -fying or -fied (tr)
  1. to confuse, bewilder, or puzzle
  2. to make mysterious or obscure
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Derived Formsmystification, nounmystifier, nounmystifying, adjectivemystifyingly, adverb

Word Origin

C19: from French mystifier, from mystère mystery 1 or mystique mystic
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for mystification

n.

1815, from French mystification, noun of action from mystifier (see mystify).

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mystify

v.

1814, from French mystifier (1772), a verb formed irregularly from mystique "a mystic" (see mystic (adj.)) + -fier (see -fy). Related: Mystified; mystifying.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper