Definition of confound

The word "confound" has its origins in the medieval Latin verb "confoundere," meaning "to mix together" or "to pour confusion into." This word was derived from the Latin prefix "con-," which indicated combining, and the verb "fundere," which meant "to pour" or "to pour out." The Old French verb "conforner" emerged from the Latin "confoundere," and it was used to describe mixing ingredients together, as in the process of making a pottery glaze. The Middle English word "confounen" was then derived from the Old French. Over time, the meaning of "confound" changed from its original literal sense to a figurative one. By the 14th century, "confound" began to denote confusing or overwhelming someone with perplexity, as in the expression "to confound the senses." Today, the word "confound" is commonly used figuratively to describe an unexpected or perplexing situation, as well as the act of perplexing or overwhelming someone with confusion.