perplexity

[ per-plek-si-tee ]

/ pərˈplɛk sɪ ti /

the state of being perplexed; confusion; uncertainty.

something that perplexes: a case plagued with perplexities.

a tangled, involved, or confused condition or situation.

Origin of perplexity

1350–1400; Middle English perplexite < Old French < Late Latin perplexitās, equivalent to Latin perplex(us) (see perplexed) + -itās -ity

He studied the complexities of the English language and the perplexities of religious faith.

Why George Carlin Deserves His Own Street |Kevin Bartini |October 21, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
The history of exhibiting violence photojournalism is fraught with perplexities.

Obama Was Right to Censor the Osama bin Laden Photo |Harold Evans |May 5, 2011 |DAILY BEAST
Deborah Tannen knows all about sisterhood, sister-speak, and the pitfalls and perplexities of sibling rivalry.

Deborah Tannen on Sisterly Love |Sandra McElwaine |September 12, 2009 |DAILY BEAST
The labyrinth of perplexities that Abigail surveyed best summarized the vexations of the delegates in Philadelphia.

The Original Power Couple |Edith B. Gelles |April 19, 2009 |DAILY BEAST

While Amzi was still trying to account for Nan's check, two other incidents contributed further to his perplexities.

Otherwise Phyllis |Meredith Nicholson
Perhaps he was a little too much engrossed in his own perplexities to be as observant as usual.

Christopher Hibbault, Roadmaker |Marguerite Bryant
In the midst of his perplexities Clarges arrived at Edinburgh, and showed him where his escape lay.

Monk |Julian Corbett
To add to the perplexities, in the first years of the city, fire after fire devoured its flimsy fabric of canvas and shingle.

Historic Towns of the Western States |Various
Howe had already begun his career with blunders and perplexities.

The Voyage of The First Hessian Army from Portsmouth to New York, 1776 |Albert Pfister

perplexity

/ (pəˈplɛksɪtɪ) /

the state of being perplexed

the state of being intricate or complicated

something that perplexes