ˈmuddle-ˌheaded, a.
[f. muddle n. (not found in our quots. before 19th c.) or muddle v.]
Having a muddled head; characteristic of one with a muddled head; stupid, confused.
| 1759 Sterne Tr. Shandy II. ii, Such a confused, pudding-headed, muddle-headed fellow. 1817–18 Cobbett Resid. U.S. (1822) 189 All the materials for making people drunk, or muddle headed, are much cheaper here than in England. 1871 Kingsley At Last xiii, Muddle-headed craft and elaborate silliness. 1887 A. Birrell C. Brontë x. 117 The public, muddle-headed at the best of times [etc.]. |
Hence muddleˈheadedness.
| 1862 Sat. Rev. 6 Sept. 274 That sort of utter muddle-headedness which disqualifies a man for reasoning equally with pure ignorance. 1884 Skeat in N. & Q. 12 Jan. 32/2 Such is the muddle-headedness of modern English spelling. 1972 N.Y. Rev. Bks. 30 Jan. 38/3, I charge them both with muddle-headedness for their own views on this subject. |