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verb (used with object)
1.
to confuse unintentionally or ignorantly; jumble: to garble instructions.
2.
to make unfair or misleading selections from or arrangement of (fact, statements, writings, etc.); distort: to garble a quotation.
3.
Archaic. to take out the best of.
noun
4.
the act or process of garbling.
5.
an instance of garbling; a garbled phrase, literary passage, etc.
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Garble
is one of our favorite verbs.
So is lollygag. Does it mean:
| to spend time idly; loaf. |
| to swindle, cheat, hoodwink, or hoax. |
Origin:
1400–50; late Middle English garbelen to remove refuse from spices < Old Italian garbellare to sift < Arabic gharbala < Late Latin crībellāre, derivative of crībellum, diminutive of Latin crībrum sieve (see -elle); probably influenced by garboil
1400–50; late Middle English garbelen to remove refuse from spices < Old Italian garbellare to sift < Arabic gharbala < Late Latin crībellāre, derivative of crībellum, diminutive of Latin crībrum sieve (see -elle); probably influenced by garboil
Related forms
gar·ble·a·ble, adjective
gar·bler, noun
un·gar·bled, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Link To garble
Example Sentences
- Judith has a tendency to garble fantasy and reality together, a trait that could leave the audience slightly confused as well.
- You're right that he did garble the joke a bit by confusing the sisters.
- If you can hear them, that is, since the sand will garble their words.
Collins
World English Dictionary
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History
garble
early 15c., from Anglo-Fr. garbeler "to sift," from M.L. and It. garbellare, from Arabic gharbala "to sift and select spices," related to kirbal "sieve," perhaps from L. cribellum, dim. of cribrum "sieve" (see crisis). A widespread word among Mediterranean traders; sense
EXPAND of "mix up, confuse, distort language" first recorded 1680s. Related: Garbled; garbling.
COLLAPSE
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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