New Collegiate Dictionary. 2001.
Perplexity — is a measurement in information theory. It is defined as 2 raised to the power of entropy, or more often as 2 raised to the power of cross entropy. The latter definition is commonly used to compare probability models empirically. Perplexity of a… … Wikipedia
Perplexity — Per*plex i*ty, n.; pl. {Perplexities}. [L. perplexitas: cf. F. perplexit[ e].] The quality or state of being perplexed or puzzled; complication; intricacy; entanglement; distraction of mind through doubt or difficulty; embarrassment;… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
perplexity — index cloud (suspicion), complication, confusion (ambiguity), dilemma, doubt (indecision), enig … Law dictionary
perplexity — (n.) c.1300, from L.L. perplexitas, from L. perplexus confused, involved, from per completely + plexus entangled, pp. of plectere to twine (see COMPLEX (Cf. complex) (adj.)) … Etymology dictionary
perplexity — [pər plek′sə tē] n. [ME perplexite < MFr perplexité < LL perplexitas] 1. the condition of being perplexed; bewilderment; confusion 2. pl. perplexities something that perplexes 3. something that is perplexed, or complicated … English World dictionary
perplexity — UK [pə(r)ˈpleksətɪ] / US [pərˈpleksətɪ] noun Word forms perplexity : singular perplexity plural perplexities 1) [uncountable] a confused feeling that you have because you cannot understand something They stared in perplexity at the map. 2)… … English dictionary
perplexity — [[t]pə(r)ple̱ksɪti[/t]] perplexities 1) N UNCOUNT Perplexity is a feeling of being confused and frustrated because you do not understand something. He began counting them and then, with growing perplexity, counted them a second time. Syn:… … English dictionary
perplexity — per|plex|i|ty [ pər pleksəti ] noun 1. ) uncount a confused feeling because you cannot understand something: CONFUSION: They stared in perplexity at the map. 2. ) count usually plural something that makes a subject or situation difficult to… … Usage of the words and phrases in modern English
perplexity — noun 1) he scratched his head in perplexity Syn: confusion, bewilderment, puzzlement, bafflement, incomprehension, mystification, bemusement; informal bamboozlement, discombobulation 2) the perplexities of international relations Syn: complexity … Thesaurus of popular words
perplexity — perplex ► VERB ▪ cause to feel baffled; puzzle greatly. DERIVATIVES perplexity noun (pl. perplexities) . ORIGIN from Latin perplexus entangled … English terms dictionary
