different between stupefaction vs bafflement

English

Etymology

From Middle French stupéfaction, from Latin stupefaci? (“strike dumb, stun with amazement, stupefy”), from stupe? (“I am stunned, speechless”) (English stupid, stupor) + faci? (“do, make”).

Noun

stupefaction (countable and uncountable, plural stupefactions)

1. The state of extreme shock or astonishment.
2. A state of insensibility; stupor.

Related terms

• stupefy
• stupid
• stupor

Translations

English

Etymology

From baffle +? -ment.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /?baf(?)lm?nt/

Noun

bafflement (countable and uncountable, plural bafflements)

1. (uncountable) The state or result of being baffled, puzzled, or confused.

   • He made a gesture of bafflement.

     "None whatever—it's beyond me," he confessed.

   • 2008, Chris Rojek, Brit-Myth: Who Do the British Think They Are?, Reaktion Books (?ISBN)

     The error here is to confuse British composure with the appearance of bafflement, embarrassment and reserve.

2. (countable) Something that causes a state of confusion or puzzlement.
   • 2005 Dec. 16, Josh Tyrangiel, "Best of 2005: Music," Time:

     The cartoon characters on the front cover, the irritatingly meaningless track names . . . make it seem like a concept album about global warming for kids. Since the lyrics remain a bafflement, it might well be.

Translations