Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • noun Dazzling excitement.
  • noun Elaborate action or maneuvers designed to deceive an opponent, as in a sports contest.
  • noun Extravagant or showy display, as of technique.

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun A state of dazed confusion or dizziness, as in intoxication.
  • noun A revolving platform, with a swift, irregular, swerving motion, on which passengers are carried, for their amusement, at fairs and pleasure-resorts.
  • To dazzle and confuse; daze in a sudden or humorous way; bewilder; intoxicate.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun Glitz, glamor/glamour, showiness, or pizazz; schmaltz.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • noun any exciting and complex play intended to confuse (dazzle) the opponent

Etymologies

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition

[Reduplication of dazzle.]

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Examples

Comments

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  • lookit all 'em z's

    December 3, 2006

  • According to Stephen Pinker:

    The reason we say "razzle-dazzle" rather than "dazzle-razzle" is because "The word beginning with the less obstruent consonant always comes before the word beginning with the more obstruent consonant."

    November 2, 2007

  • That Pinker. He knows.

    November 2, 2007

  • Seriously, I'd trust Pinker over my own mother.

    November 2, 2007

  • whad'ya spoze Pinker'd say 'bout pinking shears?

    November 2, 2007