Definition of maze

The word "maze" comes from the Old English word "mæz", which meant "labyrinth" or "delusion". This term was likely borrowed from the Old Norse words "mázr" or "manuel" which also meant "labyrinth". The earliest recorded use of the word "maze" in English can be traced back to around 1250 AD in the form of "mes" or "meys", which was similar to the modern Scottish English "meezy". The current spelling "maze" became popular around the 15th century. The term "maze" derives from the Greek word "labýrinthos", which referred to a complex structure with multiple paths that could confuse and disorientate the traveler. This term had been in use since ancient times and was popularized through descriptions of the mythological labyrinth of King Minos on the island of Crete. The concept of an intricate maze became a popular theme in medieval Europe, both in pagan and Christian contexts, and the term "maze" came to be associated with at graduated walls, hedges, or other barriers that formed an artificial maze for recreational or educational purposes. Overall, the origins of the word "maze" can be traced back to the Old English, with a likely Scandinavian linguistic influence, and it highlights the etymological connections between the English, Norse, and Greek languages as well as the enduring cultural and literary significance of the labyrinth as a symbol of challenge, complexity, and confusion.