tangle

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   To twist together into a messy, knotted mass.

   The wind tangled her long hair within minutes.

2. 2
   noun

   A twisted, knotted mass of something.

   They hacked their way through a tangle of vines.

3. 3
   noun

   A confused or complicated situation.

   The new rules created a tangle of paperwork for small businesses.

4. 4
   verb

   To become involved in an argument or fight.

   You don't want to tangle with someone that aggressive.

Of North Germanic origin, such as Danish tang or Swedish tång, from Old Norse þongull, þang. See also Norwegian tongul, Faroese tongul, Icelandic þöngull.

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