Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Confusion \Con*fu"sion\, n. [F. confusion, L. confusio.]
   1. The state of being mixed or blended so as to produce
      indistinctness or error; indistinct combination; disorder;
      tumult.

            The confusion of thought to which the Aristotelians
            were liable.                          --Whewell.

            Moody beggars starving for a time Of pellmell havoc
            and confusion.                        --Shak.

   2. The state of being abashed or disconcerted; loss
      self-possession; perturbation; shame.

            Confusion dwelt in every face And fear in every
            heart.                                --Spectator.

   3. Overthrow; defeat; ruin.

            Ruin seize thee, ruthless king, Confusion on thy
            banners wait.                         --Gray.

   4. One who confuses; a confounder. [Obs.] --Chapmen.

   {Confusion of goods} (Law), the intermixture of the goods of
      two or more persons, so that their respective portions can
      no longer be distinguished. --Blackstone. --Bouvier.

Source : WordNet®

confusion
     n 1: disorder resulting from a failure to behave predictably;
          "the army retreated in confusion"
     2: a mental state characterized by a lack of clear and orderly
        thought and behavior; "a confusion of impressions" [syn: {mental
        confusion}, {confusedness}, {disarray}]
     3: a feeling of embarrassment that leaves you confused [syn: {discombobulation}]
     4: an act causing a disorderly combination of elements with
        identities lost and distinctions blended; "the confusion
        of tongues at the Tower of Babel"
     5: a mistake that results from taking one thing to be another;
        "he changed his name in order to avoid confusion with the
        notorious outlaw" [syn: {mix-up}]