Definition of tangle

< Tangier

tangle >

tan·gle¹    (tnggl) KEY 

VERB:
tan·gled, tan·gling, tan·gles
VERB:
tr.

1. To mix together or intertwine in a confused mass; snarl.
2. To involve in hampering or awkward complications; entangle.
3. To catch and hold in or as if in a net; entrap. See Synonyms at catch.

VERB:
intr.

1. To be or become entangled.
2. Informal To enter into argument, dispute, or conflict: tangled with the law.

NOUN:

1. A confused, intertwined mass.
2. A jumbled or confused state or condition.
3. A state of bewilderment.
4. Informal An argument or altercation.

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ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English tangilen, to involve in an embarrassing situation, variant of tagilen, probably of Scandinavian origin; akin to Swedish dialectal taggla, to entangle

OTHER FORMS:
tangly(Adjective)