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embroil

 - 3 dictionary results

em⋅broil

  [em-broil]
Use embroil in a Sentence
–verb (used with object)
1. to bring into discord or conflict; involve in contention or strife.
2. to throw into confusion; complicate.
Origin:
1595–1605; < MF embrouiller, equiv. to em- em- 1 + brouiller to broil 2

Related forms:
em⋅broil⋅er, noun
em⋅broil⋅ment, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To embroil
em·broil   (ěm-broil')   
tr.v.   em·broiled, em·broil·ing, em·broils

  1. To involve in argument, contention, or hostile actions: "Avoid . . . any step that may embroil us with Great Britain" (Alexander Hamilton).

  2. To throw into confusion or disorder; entangle.


[French embrouiller : en-, intensive pref.; see en-1 + brouiller, to confuse (from Old French; see broil2).]
em·broil'ment n.
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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Word Origin & History

embroil 
1603, from Fr. embrouillier (cognate with It. imbrogliare), from en- "in" + brouiller "confuse," from O.Fr. brooillier (see broil (2)). Sense of "involve in a quarrel" is first attested 1610.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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