or dumfound, verb (also dumbfounding, subs., dumbfounded or dumfoundered [Scots], adj. [old slang, now colloquial]).—To perplex; to confound.
1690. DRYDEN, Prologue to Prophetess.
| Then think, on that bare bench my servant sat; | |
| I see him ogle still, and hear him chat; | |
| Selling facetious bargains, and propounding | |
| That witty recreation call’d DUMB-FOUNDING. |
1703. WARD, The London Spy, pt. xvi., p. 379. This unexpected retort of the parsons, quite DUMB-FOUNDED the Quaker.
1706. R. ESTCOURT, The Fair Example, Act. III., Sc. i., p. 30. And if I can but DUMB-FOUND my husband with a dream, I shall be able to make my word good.
1714. Spectator, No. 616. They grew a little mutinous for more liquor. They had like to have DUMFOUNDED the justice; but his clerk came in to his assistance.
1766. KENRICK, Falstaff’s Wedding, I., ii. They let fly their jests so thick at me, and pepper’d me so plaguily with small wit, that I was DUMFOUNDED.
1855. A. TROLLOPE, The Warden, ch. xi. At any other time how exquisitely valuable would have been that touch! but now he was distraught, DUMB-FOUNDED, and unmanned.
1861. H. KINGSLEY, Ravenshoe, ch. v. He utterly DUMFOUNDERED Charley, by asking abruptly ‘How’s Jim?’
1880. G. R. SIMS, Three Brass Balls, Pledge xx. White as a ghost, DUMBFOUNDERED and trembling, Dan attempted to explain that he was innocent.
1882. H. ADAMS, Democracy, ch. vii. She lost her command of thought, and sat DUMBFOUNDED.
1883. W. E. NORRIS, Thirlby Hall, ch. ix. I was too DUMBFOUNDERED to speak.
