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Definition of labyrinth : 1. A pattern or design representing a maze, - often inlaid in the tiled floor of a church, etc.
2. A series of canals through which a stream of water is directed for suspending, carrying off, and depositing at different distances, the ground ore of a metal.
3. An edifice or place full of intricate passageways which render it difficult to find the way from the interior to the entrance; as, the Egyptian and Cretan labyrinths.
4. An inextricable or bewildering difficulty.
5. Any intricate or involved inclosure; especially, an ornamental maze or inclosure in a park or garden.
6. Any object or arrangement of an intricate or involved form, or having a very complicated nature.
7. The internal ear. See Note under Ear.

Synonyms:

cattle auction, dust trap, complexity, thing, aerie, disaster area, tangle, jungle, internal ear, web, rabbit warren, destination, warren, inner ear, uncertainty, perplexity, center of excellence, unknown quantity, dumping ground, mesh, cradle, morass, Dodge City, snarl, anchorage, complication, secret, simple, knot, entanglement, skein

coil, tortuousness, whorl, convolution, circuitousness

cryptogram, puzzle, brainteaser, enigma, maze, code, riddle, conundrum, problem, mystery, poser, cipher

Usage examples:

• I found, therefore, no clue for the labyrinth of surmise: and I went home, more vexed and disappointed with my day's expedition than I liked to acknowledge to myself. - "Pelham, Complete", Edward Bulwer-Lytton Last Updated: March 16, 2009.
• The deceased gentleman had, with inexplicable rashness, made his way into this labyrinth without, as far as can be discovered, taking with him either candles or matches, so that his sad fate was the natural result of his own temerity. - "The Green Flag", Arthur Conan Doyle.
• Moreover, it must be remembered that, if he alone could guide himself and his country through the perplexing labyrinth in which they were involved; it was because he held in his hand the clue of an honest purpose. - "Project Gutenberg History of The Netherlands, 1555-1623, Complete", John Lothrop Motley.