baffler

(redirected from bafflers)

baf·fle

(băf′əl)

tr.v. baf·fled, baf·fling, baf·fles

1. To confuse or perplex, especially so as to frustrate or prevent from taking action: a patient whose condition baffled the physicians.

2. To impede the force or movement of (a fluid).

1. A usually static device that regulates the flow of a fluid or light.

2. A partition that prevents interference between sound waves in a loudspeaker.

[Perhaps blend of Scottish Gaelic bauchle, to denounce, revile publicly, and French bafouer, to ridicule.]

baf′fle·ment n.

baf′fler n.

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Mentioned in ?

baffle

References in periodicals archive ?

"RINGS On Their Fingers" (BBC1, 8.30) provided one of last year's broadcasting bafflers.

Funny? Don't make me laugh! Stafford Mildred's Teleview

The questions are really easy and aimed at all ages, so there are no brain bafflers.

WIN...No Brainer family fun game; ViViD GAMES

Thanks, John - and also to all of the readers who have written in with questions and bafflers throughout the year.

Showbiz Sam; THE MAN IN THE KNOW

So where do you find decent answers about those puzzling body bafflers? Right here!

Your 10 most embarrassing body questions answered: you're going through puberty (duh), and you have questions (who doesn't). The only problem? You're afraid to ask! No worries--we took your most baffling body Q's to the experts for you

Note: The explanations for the Body Bafflers are found in the Background section of the Teaching Notes.

Baffling Body Behaviors

Write to me with your questions and Slam Sam bafflers at: Showbiz Sam, 1 Central Quay, Glasgow, G3 8DA.

Showbiz Sam

Send your Ask-Sams and Sam Bafflers to Showbiz Sam, Daily Record, Anderston Quay, Glasgow G3 8DA.

SHOWBIZ SAM

Send your Ask Sams and Sam Bafflers, you must be able to prove your answer, to: Showbiz Sam, Daily Record, Anderston Quay, Glasgow, G3 8DA.

SHOWBIZ SAM

Send your Ask-Sams and Sam Bafflers (you must be able to prove your answer) to Showbiz Sam, Daily Record, Anderston Quay, Glasgow, G3 8DA.

SLAM SAM

The Baffler, apparently published by Editor Thomas Frank and colleagues whenever a new issue is ready, has won wide acclaim as a noteworthy source of top-notch writing on the Left.

Because We Live in Baffling Times

The new issue of The Baffler (number five) proves once again that in Chicago, at least, the art of the polemic is not dead.