confound

 
Pronunciation: /kənˈfaʊnd/

verb

[with object]
  • 1cause surprise or confusion in (someone), especially by not according with their expectations: the inflation figure confounded economic analysts
  • prove (a theory or expectation) wrong: the rise in prices confounded expectations
  • defeat (a plan, aim, or hope): we will confound these tactics by the pressure groups
  • archaic overthrow (an enemy): God chose to use natural disorders to confound Pharaoh and the gods of Egypt
  • 2mix up (something) with something else: he was forever confounding managerialism with idealism

exclamation

dated
  • used to express anger or annoyance: oh confound it, where is the thing?

Origin:

Middle English: from Old French confondre, from Latin confundere 'pour together, mix up'. Compare with confuse