mangle

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   To damage something badly by crushing, tearing, or twisting it.

   The car was completely mangled in the crash.

2. 2
   verb

   To spoil something by doing it badly, especially words or music.

   The nervous singer mangled the national anthem.

Ca. 1700, from Dutch mangel, from Early Modern German Mangel (15th c.), enhanced form (by analogy with other tool names in -el) of Middle High German mange, from Medieval Latin manga, manganum, from Ancient Greek μάγγανον (mánganon). Doublet of mangonel.

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