boggle

Etymology

Definitions

1. 1

   (literally or figuratively) to stop or hesitate as if suddenly seeing a bogle.

   • The dogs went on, but the horse boggled at the sudden appearance of the strange beast.
   • The horror of the deed and its consequences boggle the imagination.
   • You boggle shrewdly, every feather starts you […]
2. 2

   To be bewildered, dumbfounded, or confused.

   • He boggled at the surprising news.
   • The mind boggles.
   • […] we start and boggle at what is unusual: and like the Fox in the fable at his first view of the Lyon, we cannot endure the sight of the Bug-bear, Novelty.
3. 3

   To confuse or mystify

   To confuse or mystify; overwhelm.

   • The vastness of space really boggles the mind.
   • The oddities of quantum mechanics can boggle the minds of students and experienced physicists alike.
   • For a moment he marvelled at the vastness of the toe-sized teats boggling him, then he stuttered, ‘Goo’ bye.’
4. ›+ 6 more definitionsshow fewer

   1. 4

      To embarrass with difficulties

      To embarrass with difficulties; to palter or equivocate; to bungle or botch

   2. 5

      To dissemble

      To dissemble; to play fast and loose (with someone or something).

   3. 6

      To wiggle the eyes as a result of bruxing.

   4. 7

      A scruple or objection.

   5. 8

      A bungle

      A bungle; a botched situation.

   6. 9

      Alternative form of bogle.

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