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A.Word.A.Day--nonplus

verb tr.: To put at a loss for what to do, think, or say; perplex.
noun: A state of perplexity or bewilderment.

[From Latin non plus (no more).]

"Until this encounter, my only knowledge of codes was the Navajo Code Talkers, the World War II Native American group who used their native language to nonplus the enemy."
Jane Greig; Higshmrk E Qcwxivc (No, That's Not A Typo); Austin American Statesman; Sep 14, 2003.

"Larger seeds, such as corn, peas, beans and squash, may be planted the usual way, then immediately covered with a loose hay mulch, 1 or 2 inches thick. Covering the corn seeds nonpluses the crows."
Ruth Stout; The Couch I Live On; Organic Gardening (New York); Jul 17, 1996.

See more usage examples of nonplus in Vocabulary.com's dictionary.

This week's theme: Words that aren't what they appear to be

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