confusion
NounWordNet 3.0
Noun (5)
- disorder resulting from a failure to behave predictably“the army retreated in confusion”
- a mental state characterized by a lack of clear and orderly thought and behavior“a confusion of impressions”Synonyms: mental confusionconfusednessmuddinessdisarray
- a feeling of embarrassment that leaves you confusedSynonyms: discombobulation
- an act causing a disorderly combination of elements with identities lost and distinctions blended“the confusion of tongues at the Tower of Babel”
- a mistake that results from taking one thing to be another“he changed his name in order to avoid confusion with the notorious outlaw”Synonyms: mix-up
Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)
Confusion \Con*fu"sion\, n. [F. confusion, L. confusio.]
1.The state of being mixed or blended so as to produce indistinctness or error; indistinct combination; disorder; tumult. [1913 Webster]
The confusion of thought to which the Aristotelians were liable.— Whewell.[1913 Webster]
Moody beggars starving for a time Of pellmell havoc and confusion.— Shak.[1913 Webster]
2.The state of being abashed or disconcerted; loss self-possession; perturbation; shame. [1913 Webster]
Confusion dwelt in every face And fear in every heart.— Spectator.[1913 Webster]
3.Overthrow; defeat; ruin. [1913 Webster]
Ruin seize thee, ruthless king, Confusion on thy banners wait.— Gray.[1913 Webster]
4.One who confuses; a confounder. [Obs.] --Chapmen. [1913 Webster]
Confusion of goods (Law), the intermixture of the goods of two or more persons, so that their respective portions can no longer be distinguished. --Blackstone. --Bouvier. [1913 Webster]