Maze
/ˈmeɪz/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounA labyrinth; a puzzle consisting of a complicated network of paths or passages, the aim of which is to find one's way through.
nounSomething made up of many confused or conflicting elements; a tangle.
Sentence Examples
I finally found my way out of the confusing maze.
No matter how hard he tried, he could not get out of the maze.
CEFR Practice Quiz
We got lost in the tall walls of the hedge ____ with no exit in sight.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The children had a lot of fun trying to find their way out of the complex corn ____ at the farm.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English mase, from Middle English masen (“to perplex, bewilder”); or perhaps from Old English *mæs (“delusion, bewilderment”); akin to Old English āmasian (“to perplex, confound”), Icelandic masa (“to chatter”). More at amaze.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"There's plenty for toddlers too: experience the Wild West in Bear City, play with sand diggers, splash in the paddling pool and discover meerkats, reptiles and alpacas in the Zoo-Farm. Rain doesn't stop play, just head for the indoor fun factory with a rocking and rolling tugboat, mirror maze, ferris wheel and soft play."
— 2012 May 30, Hayley Spurway, “Top 10 family days out in south Devon”, in the Guardian:
"A beech wood with silver firs in it rolled down the face of the hill, and the maze of leafless twigs and dusky spires cut sharp against the soft blueness of the evening sky."
— 1907 January, Harold Bindloss, chapter 1, in The Dust of Conflict, 1st Canadian edition, Toronto, Ont.: McLeod & Allen, →OCLC:
"The project developer, Poseidon Resources Corp., has been winding its way through a maze of state and local agencies for six years"
— 2009 May 11, “Nation's largest desal project faces financing hurdles”, in New York Times:
"But first they came to Canterbury, an olde Citie, somewhat decayed, yet beautiful to behold, most famous for a Cathedrall Church, the very Maiestie whereoff, stroke them into a maze, where they saw many monuments, and heard tell of greater, then either they euer saw, or easely would beleeue."
— 1580, John Lyly, “Euphues and His England”, in The Complete Works of John Lyly, published 1906, page 36:
"they so mazed and even stupified his Conscience"
— 1692–1717, Robert South, Twelve Sermons Preached upon Several Occasions, volume (please specify |volume=I to VI), London:
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
We got lost in the tall walls of the hedge ____ with no exit in sight.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The children had a lot of fun trying to find their way out of the complex corn ____ at the farm.