What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Baffle vs Addle - What's the difference?

baffle | addle |

In obsolete|lang=en terms the difference between baffle and addle

is that baffle is (obsolete) to hoodwink or deceive (someone) while addle is (obsolete) liquid filth; mire.

As verbs the difference between baffle and addle

is that baffle is (obsolete) to publicly disgrace, especially of a recreant knight while addle is (provincial|northern england) to earn, earn by labor; earn money or one's living — or addle can be to make addle; to grow addle; to muddle; as, he addled his brain.

As nouns the difference between baffle and addle

is that baffle is a device used to dampen the effects of such things as sound, light, or fluid specifically, a baffle is a surface which is placed inside an open area to inhibit direct motion from one part to another, without preventing motion altogether while addle is (obsolete) liquid filth; mire or addle can be a foolish or dull-witted fellow.

As an adjective addle is

having lost the power of development, and become rotten, as eggs; putrid.

baffle

English

Verb

(baffl)
  • (obsolete) To publicly disgrace, especially of a recreant knight.
  • * 1596 , (Edmund Spenser), The Faerie Queene , VI.7:
  • He by the heeles him hung upon a tree, / And baffuld so, that all which passed by / The picture of his punishment might see […].
  • (obsolete) To hoodwink or deceive (someone).
  • (Barrow)
  • To bewilder completely; to confuse or perplex.
  • I am baffled by the contradictions and omissions in the instructions.
  • * Prescott
  • calculations so difficult as to have baffled , until within a recent period, the most enlightened nations
  • * John Locke
  • The mere intricacy of a question should not baffle us.
  • * Cowper
  • the art that baffles time's tyrannic claim
  • * South
  • a suitable scripture ready to repel and baffle them all
  • To struggle in vain.
  • A ship baffles with the winds.

    Synonyms

    * See also

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A device used to dampen the effects of such things as sound, light, or fluid. Specifically, a baffle is a surface which is placed inside an open area to inhibit direct motion from one part to another, without preventing motion altogether.
  • Tanker trucks use baffles to keep the liquids inside from sloshing around.
  • An architectural feature designed to confuse enemies or make them vulnerable.
  • addle

    English

    Etymology 1

    From (etyl) addlen, from (etyl) .

    Verb

    (addl)
  • (provincial, Northern England) To earn, earn by labor; earn money or one's living. — .
  • (provincial, Northern England) To thrive or grow; to ripen.
  • :* Kill ivy, else tree will addle no more. – .
  • Etymology 2

    From (etyl) .

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Having lost the power of development, and become rotten, as eggs; putrid.
  • (by extension) Unfruitful]] or confused, as brains; muddled. [[w:John Dryden, John Dryden .
  • addled
  • Derived terms
    * addle-brain * addle-headed * addle-pated * addle plot * addleness * addlepated

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (obsolete) Liquid filth; mire.
  • (provincial) Lees; dregs.
  • (Wright)

    Verb

    (addl)
  • To make addle; to grow addle; to muddle; as, he addled his brain.
  • "Their eggs were addled ." .
  • To cause fertilised eggs to lose viability, by killing the developing embryo within through shaking, piercing, freezing or oiling, without breaking the shell.
  • Noun

    (en noun)
  • A foolish or dull-witted fellow.
  • (Webster 1913)

    Anagrams

    *