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imbroglio
5 dictionary results for: imbroglio
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This
im·bro·glio       [im-brohl-yoh] Pronunciation Key
–noun, plural -glios.
1.a misunderstanding, disagreement, etc., of a complicated or bitter nature, as between persons or nations.
2.an intricate and perplexing state of affairs; a complicated or difficult situation.
3.a confused heap.
Also, embroglio.

[Origin: 1740–50; < It, deriv. of imbrogliare to embroil]
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
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American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
im·bro·glio       (ĭm-brōl'yō)  Pronunciation Key 
n.   pl. im·bro·glios
    1. A difficult or intricate situation; an entanglement.
    2. A confused or complicated disagreement.
  2. A confused heap; a tangle.


[Italian, from Old Italian, from imbrogliare, to tangle, confuse : in-, in (from Latin; see in-2) + brogliare, to mix, stir (probably from Old French brooiller, brouiller; see broil2).]

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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
imbroglio 
1750, from It. imbroglio, from imbrogliare "confuse, tangle," from in- "in" + brogliare "embroil," probably from M.Fr. brouiller "confuse" (see broil (2)).

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This
imbroglio

noun
1. an intricate and confusing interpersonal or political situation 
2. a very embarrassing misunderstanding 

WordNet® 3.0, © 2006 by Princeton University.
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Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Imbroglio

Im*brogl"io\, n.; pl. Imbroglios. [Written also embroglio.] [It. See 1st Broil, and cf. Embroil.]

1. An intricate, complicated plot, as of a drama or work of fiction.

2. A complicated and embarrassing state of things; a serious misunderstanding.

Wrestling to free itself from the baleful imbroglio. --Carlyle.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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