unravel

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   become undone

   the sweater unraveled

2. 2
   verb

   become or cause to become undone by separating the fibers or threads of

   unravel the thread

3. 3
   verb

   disentangle

   can you unravel the mystery?

4. 4
   verb

   To cause (something) to no longer be ravelled or tangled; to disentangle, to untangle.

   Mother couldn’t unravel the ball of wool after the cat had played with it.

5. 5
   verb

   To separate the threads of (something knitted or woven, such as clothing or fabric).

   Stop playing with the seam of the tablecloth! You’ll unravel it.

6. 6
   verb

   To separate the connected or united parts of (something); to throw (something) into disorder; to confound, to confuse, to disintegrate.

   to unravel the broad consensus which was created

7. 7
   verb

   To clear (something) from complication or difficulty; to investigate and solve (a mystery, a problem, etc.); to disentangle, to unfold, to work out.

   to unravel the confusion    to unravel a plot

8. 8
   verb

   To reverse or undo (something); to annul, to negate.

   For everie time thou admitſt mee after, to thy / Pillovv, I'le ſtrike of an hundred pound, / Till all the debts be unravel'd: […]

Etymology

PIE word *h₂énti From un- (suffix denoting the inverse of the specified action) + ravel. cognates * Dutch ontrafelen (“to unravel”)