Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary · 1913

puzzle

puzzle (puz"z'l) , noun

[For opposal, in the sense of problem. See Oppose, Pose, v.]

1.
Something which perplexes or embarrasses; especially, a toy or a problem contrived for testing ingenuity; also, something exhibiting marvelous skill in making.
2.
The state of being puzzled; perplexity; as, to be in a puzzle.

puzzle (puz"z'ld) , transitive verb

1.
To perplex; to confuse; to embarrass; to put to a stand; to nonplus.
A very shrewd disputant in those points is dexterous in puzzling others. — Dr. H. More
He is perpetually puzzled and perplexed amidst his own blunders. — Addison
2.
To make intricate; to entangle.
They disentangle from the puzzled skein. — Cowper
The ways of Heaven are dark and intricate, Puzzled in mazes, and perplexed with error. — Addison
3.
To solve by ingenuity, as a puzzle; -- followed by out; as, to puzzle out a mystery.

Puzzle , intransitive verb

1.
To be bewildered, or perplexed.
A puzzling fool, that heeds nothing. — L'Estrange
2.
To work, as at a puzzle; as, to puzzle over a problem.