muddle

Definition

To mix together, to mix up; to confuse.

Etymology

From Middle English modelen (attested in present participle modeland (“wallowing”)), from Middle Dutch moddelen (“to make muddy”), from modde, mod (“mud”) (Modern Dutch modder). By surface analysis, mud + -le. Compare German Kuddelmuddel.

Example Sentences

• "Young children tend to muddle their words."
• "I will not , to please hostile critics , muddle the argument by making it one of recondite learning , in which neither I nor my readers are strong . I try to lay before the reader reasons from which he can judge for himself"
• "He muddled the mint sprigs in the bottom of the glass."