What does MAZES mean?

Parts of Speech

Noun, Verb

Definitions

Noun: a network of paths and hedges designed as a puzzle through which one has to find a way.

Verb: to be bewildered or perplexed by a situation or problem.

Pronunciations

US: /ˈmeɪzɪz/

UK: /ˈmeɪzɪz/

Origin and Usage

The word "mazes" originated from Middle English "masen" meaning "stupefy" or "amaze". The noun form of the word, referring to a network of paths and hedges designed as a puzzle through which one has to find a way, was first recorded in the late 14th century. The verb form, meaning to be bewildered or perplexed by a situation or problem, was first recorded in the early 15th century. The word is commonly used in English literature and is also a popular activity in amusement parks and fairs.

Synonyms

Noun: labyrinth, puzzle, network, tangle, web

Verb: puzzle, bewilder, confuse, confound, perplex

Related Words

amaze, blaze, craze, dazes, fazes, glaze, hazes, lazes, razes, saxes

Example Sentences

Noun: The children spent hours trying to find their way out of the mazes in the amusement park.

Verb: She was completely mazed by the complex instructions on the manual.