nonplus

[ non-pluhs ]
See synonyms for: nonplusnonplusednonplussed on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object),non·plussed or non·plused,non·plus·sing or non·plus·ing.
  1. to render utterly perplexed by something unexpected; puzzle completely: He nonplussed his questioners by answering in riddles.

  2. to cause to feel indifferent, calm, or unexcited: The shoppers were entirely nonplussed by the disturbance in the street, continuing to gaze at window displays as they strolled along.

noun
  1. a state of utter perplexity: When the protagonist's wife suddenly disappears, he's at a nonplus and fights with two different feelings.

Origin of nonplus

1
First recorded in 1575–85; (noun) from Latin nōn plūs literally, “not more, no further,” that is, a state in which nothing more can be done

usage note For nonplus

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Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

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British Dictionary definitions for nonplus

nonplus

/ (nɒnˈplʌs) /


verb-plusses, -plussing or -plussed or US -pluses, -plusing or -plused
  1. (tr) to put at a loss; confound: he was nonplussed by the sudden announcement

nounplural -pluses
  1. a state of utter perplexity prohibiting action or speech

Origin of nonplus

1
C16: from Latin nōn plūs no further (that is, nothing further can be said or done)

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012