mizmaze
(ˈmɪzmeɪz)
Also 6 myse mase, 6–7 mis-mase, 7 misse-, 7, 9 mis-, 9 dial. mizz-, mizzy-maze.
[Varied reduplication of maze n.]
† 1. A labyrinth or maze. Chiefly fig. Obs.
| 1547 Salesbury Welsh Dict., Frustial, a myse mase. 1587 J. Harmar tr. Beza's Serm. 69 Salomon..hath walked vs through the whole labyrinth & mizmaze of this life. 1612 J. Davies Muse's Sacrif. (Grosart) 10/1 Errors misse⁓maze, where lost is Veritie, Or blinded so, that still wrong course it takes. a 1624 Bp. M. Smith Serm. (1632) 234 In this distraction, and mismaze, I think the middle-way to be the best way. a 1734 North Life Dudley North (1744) 41 The Gentlemen of the House were in a Miz-maze, and knew not how to take one Step towards extricating themselves. 1794 Percy's Reliq. (ed. 4) II. Gloss. s.v. Maze, On the top of Catharine-hill, Winchester (the usual play-place of the school), was a very perplexed and winding path, running in a very small space over a great deal of ground, called a Miz-Maze. |
2. Mystification, bewildering delusion; a state of confusion or perplexity. Chiefly dial.
| 1604 Babington Comf. Notes Exod. viii. 18 The Lord will cut off that difference and mismaze,..and giue his truth victory ouer all Enchanters. 1871 G. P. R. Pulman Rustic Sk. (ed. 3) 116, I da veel all ev a mizz-maze. 1875 Q. Rev. Oct. 392 The physico-theological mizmaze which..clouded the perception of those who were following immediately in the wake of Newton. 1880 Mrs. Parr Adam & Eve xxvii. 371, I want to be a bit quiet—my head seems all of a mizmaze like. 1880 W. Cornwall Gloss. s.v. Mizmaze, ‘I'm all o' a mizzy-maze’. 1880 E. Cornwall Gloss., Mismaze, bewilderment. |
† 3. Dazzling radiance. Obs.
| a 1814 Gonzanga ii. i. in New Brit. Theatre III. 110, I have now a scheme in my head, which..will envelope you all in a mizmaze of glory. |