Meanings
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1
verb
to confuse, bewilder, or stupefy, especially with noise
The clamor daffled him until he could no longer think clearly.
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2
verb
to become mentally confused or weak-minded, especially through old age; to dote
In the old tale, the aging sailor begins to daffle and forget familiar names.
Thesaurus
Etymology
A northern English dialect verb related to daff, to make foolish or confused, and to daft. Its senses developed from confusing someone to becoming mentally enfeebled or forgetful; the precise formation is uncertain.