a. Obs. [f. L. confūs- ppl. stem of confundĕre to CONFOUND + -IVE: L. type *confūsīvus.] That tends to confuse; of a confusing or confused character.
1611. Speed, Hist. Gt. Brit., IX. xx. § 7. After their so mortall and confusive massacres.
1669. Address to Hopeful Young Gentry England, 6. Will render the various aspects of every Age as pleasant and useful to your steady and clear optics, as they are confusive and unaccountable to all other spectators.
a. 1790. Warton, Ecl., 4 (R.). The sound of dashing floods, and dashing arms, And neighing steeds, confusive struck mine ear.
Hence † Confusively adv., in a way that confuses; in disorder.
1599. Hakluyt, Voy., II. II. 89. These multitudes are not pel-mel and confusiuely dispersed ouer the land.
1628. Gaule, Pract. Th., 47. Our grosse Sense is confusiuely apprehensiue of that nature and being of our owne.
