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Tangling - 2 dictionary results

tan⋅gle

1  [tang-guhl] verb, -gled, -gling, noun
Use Tangling in a Sentence
–verb (used with object)
1. to bring together into a mass of confusedly interlaced or intertwisted threads, strands, or other like parts; snarl.
2. to involve in something that hampers, obstructs, or overgrows: The bushes were tangled with vines.
3. to catch and hold in or as if in a net or snare.
–verb (used without object)
4. to be or become tangled.
5. Informal. to come into conflict; fight or argue: I don't want to tangle with him over the new ruling.
–noun
6. a tangled condition or situation.
7. a tangled or confused mass or assemblage of something.
8. a confused jumble: a tangle of contradictory statements.
9. Informal. a conflict; disagreement: He got into a tangle with the governor.
Origin:
1300–50; ME tangilen, tagilen to entangle < Scand; cf. Sw (dial.) taggla to disarrange

Related forms:
tan⋅gle⋅ment, noun
tangler, noun
tangly, adverb

Synonyms:
8. snarl, net, labyrinth, maze.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To Tangling
tan·gle 1   (tāng'gəl)   
v.   tan·gled, tan·gling, tan·gles

v.   tr.
  1. To mix together or intertwine in a confused mass; snarl.
  2. To involve in hampering or awkward complications; entangle.
  3. To catch and hold in or as if in a net; entrap. See Synonyms at catch.
v.   intr.
  1. To be or become entangled.
  2. Informal To enter into argument, dispute, or conflict: tangled with the law.
n.  
  1. A confused, intertwined mass.
  2. A jumbled or confused state or condition.
  3. A state of bewilderment.
  4. Informal An argument or altercation.

[Middle English tangilen, to involve in an embarrassing situation, variant of tagilen, probably of Scandinavian origin; akin to Swedish dialectal taggla, to entangle.]
tan'gly adj.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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