Definition of confound

< conformity

confounded >

con·found    (kn-found, kn-) KEY 

TRANSITIVE VERB:
con·found·ed, con·found·ing, con·founds

1. To cause to become confused or perplexed. See Synonyms at puzzle.
2. To fail to distinguish; mix up: confound fiction and fact.
3. To make (something bad) worse: Do not confound the problem by losing your temper.
4. To cause to be ashamed; abash: an invention that confounded the skeptics.
5. To damn.
6. 1. To frustrate: trivial demands that confounded the peace talks.
   2. Archaic To bring to ruination.

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ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English confounden, from Anglo-Norman confundre, from Latin cnfundere, to mix together, confuse : com-, com- + fundere, to pour; see gheu- in Indo-European roots

OTHER FORMS:
con·founder(Noun), con·founding·ly(Adverb)