Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Unravel
Un-rav′el
,Verb.
T.
[1st pref.
un-
(intensive) + ravel
.] 1.
To disentangle; to disengage or separate the threads of;
as, to
. unravel
a stocking2.
Hence, to clear from complication or difficulty; to unfold; to solve;
as, to
. unravel
a plot3.
To separate the connected or united parts of; to throw into disorder; to confuse.
“Art shall be conjured for it, and nature all unraveled.” Dryden.
Un-rav′el
,Verb.
I.
To become unraveled, in any sense.
Webster 1828 Edition
Unravel
UNRAV'EL
, v.t.1.
To disentangle; to disengage or separate threads that are knit.2.
To free; to clear from complication or difficulty.3.
To separate connected or united parts; to throw into disorder.Nature all unravel'd.
4.
To unfold, as the plot or intrigue of a play.UNRAV'EL
,Verb.
I.
Definition 2024
unravel
unravel
English
Verb
unravel (third-person singular simple present unravels, present participle unraveling or unravelling, simple past and past participle unraveled or unravelled)
- (transitive) To separate the threads (of); disentangle.
- Stop playing with the seam of the tablecloth! You'll unravel it.
- Mother couldn't unravel the ball of wool after the cat had played with it.
- (intransitive) To become undone; to collapse.
- 2010, Ian Cowie, "State pension Ponzi scheme unravels with retirement at 70", The Telegraph, June 24th, 2010,
- The great Ponzi scheme that lies behind our State pension is unravelling – as they all do eventually – because money being taken from new investors is insufficient to honour promises issued to earlier generations.
- 2010, Ian Cowie, "State pension Ponzi scheme unravels with retirement at 70", The Telegraph, June 24th, 2010,
- (transitive, figuratively) To clear from complication or difficulty; to unfold; to solve.
- to unravel a plot
- to unravel a mystery
- to unravel the confusion
- (transitive, figuratively) To separate the connected or united parts of; to throw into disorder; to confuse.
- Dryden
- Art shall be conjured for it, and nature all unravelled.
- to unravel the global compromise achieved in the Constitutional Treaty
- to unravel the broad consensus which was created
- Dryden
Usage notes
unraveling and unraveled are primarily US while unravelling and unravelled are primarily UK.
Synonyms
Derived terms
Translations
to separate the threads (of)
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to become undone; to collapse
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to clear from complication or difficulty; to unfold; to solve
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to separate the connected or united parts of; to throw into disorder; to confuse
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