First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1tangle
verb tan·gle \ˈtaŋ-gəl\
: to become or cause (something) to become twisted together
tan·gledtan·gling \-g(ə-)liŋ\
Full Definition of TANGLE
transitive verb
1
: to involve so as to hamper, obstruct, or embarrass
2
: to seize and hold in or as if in a snare : entrap
3
: to unite or knit together in intricate confusion
intransitive verb
1
: to interact in a contentious or conflicting way
2
: to become entangled
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Origin of TANGLE
Middle English tanglen, tagilen, probably short for entanglen, from Anglo-French entagler, entangler to prosecute (for), implicate
Related to TANGLE
2tangle
noun
Definition of TANGLE
2
a : a complicated or confused state or condition b : a state of perplexity or complete bewilderment
3
: a serious altercation : dispute
First Known Use of TANGLE
1615
3tangle
noun
Definition of TANGLE
: a large seaweed
Origin of TANGLE
of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse thǫngull tangle, thang seaweed
First Known Use: 1536
TANGLING Defined for Kids
1tangle
verb tan·gle \ˈtaŋ-gəl\
tan·gledtan·gling
Definition of TANGLE for Kids
: to twist or become twisted together into a mass that is hard to straighten out again
2tangle
noun
Definition of TANGLE for Kids
1
: a mass that is twisted together and hard to straighten <a tangle of yarn> <a tangle of branches>
2
: a complicated or confused state
Medical Dictionary
tangle
noun tan·gle \ˈtaŋ-gəl\
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