* "Bewilder" itself originates from the combination of two Old English words:
* "be" - meaning "to make" or "to cause to be"
* "wildan" - meaning "to cause to wander" or "to mislead"
Therefore, the literal meaning of "bewilder" is "to cause someone to wander or be lost, both physically and mentally".
Over time, the meaning evolved to encompass the feeling of being confused, disoriented, and overwhelmed.
So, when someone is bewildered, they are essentially experiencing a state of being lost and confused, like someone who is physically lost in the wilderness.