Dictionary

1mangle

verb man·gle \ˈmaŋ-gəl\
man·gledman·gling \-g(ə-)liŋ\

Definition of MANGLE

transitive verb
1
:  to injure with deep disfiguring wounds by cutting, tearing, or crushing <people … mangled by sharks — V. G. Heiser>
2
:  to spoil, injure, or make incoherent especially through ineptitude <a story mangled beyond recognition>
man·gler \-g(ə-)lər\ noun
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Origin of MANGLE

Middle English, from Anglo-French mangler, mahangler, perhaps from mahaigner to maim — more at mayhem
First Known Use: 15th century

Synonym Discussion of MANGLE

maim, cripple, mutilate, batter, mangle mean to injure so severely as to cause lasting damage. maim implies the loss or injury of a bodily member through violence <maimed by a shark>. cripple implies the loss or serious impairment of an arm or leg <crippled for life in an accident>. mutilate implies the cutting off or removal of an essential part of a person or thing thereby impairing its completeness, beauty, or function <a tree mutilated by inept pruning>. batter implies a series of blows that bruise deeply, deform, or mutilate <an old ship battered by fierce storms>. mangle implies a tearing or crushing that leaves deep wounds <a soldier's leg mangled by shrapnel>.

2mangle

noun

: an old-fashioned machine used to squeeze water out of wet clothes after they have been washed

Full Definition of MANGLE

:  a machine for ironing laundry by passing it between heated rollers

Origin of MANGLE

Dutch mangel, from German, from Middle High German, diminutive of mange mangonel, mangle, from Latin manganum
First Known Use: 1696

3mangle

verb
man·gledman·gling \-g(ə-)liŋ\

Definition of MANGLE

transitive verb
:  to press or smooth (as damp linen) with a mangle
man·gler \-g(ə-)lər\ noun

First Known Use of MANGLE

circa 1775
MANGLE Defined for Kids

mangle

verb man·gle \ˈmaŋ-gəl\
man·gledman·gling

Definition of MANGLE for Kids

1
:  to injure badly by cutting, tearing, or crushing
2
:  to spoil while making or performing <If she's nervous, she'll mangle the speech.>

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