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Webster 1913 Edition

Entangle

En-tan′gle

,
Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Entangled
;
p. pr. & vb. n.
Entangling
.]
1.
To twist or interweave in such a manner as not to be easily separated; to make tangled, confused, and intricate;
as, to
entangle
yarn or the hair
.
2.
To involve in such complications as to render extrication a bewildering difficulty; hence, metaphorically, to insnare; to perplex; to bewilder; to puzzle;
as, to
entangle
the feet in a net, or in briers
.
“Entangling alliances.”
Washington.
The difficulties that perplex men’s thoughts and
entangle
their understandings.
Locke.
Allowing her to
entangle
herself with a person whose future was so uncertain.
Froude.

Webster 1828 Edition

Entangle

ENTAN'GLE

,
Verb.
T.
[from tangle.] To twist or interweave in such a manner as not to be easily separated; to make confused or disordered; as, thread, yarn or ropes may be entangled; to entangle the hair.
1.
To involve in any thing complicated, and from which it is difficult to extricate one's self; as, to entangle the feet in a net, or in briers.
2.
To lose in numerous or complicated involutions, as in a labyrinth.
3.
To involve in difficulties; to perplex; to embarrass; as, to entangle a nation in alliances.
4.
To puzzle; to bewilder; as, to entangle the understanding.
5.
To insnare by captious questions; to catch; to perplex; to involve in contradictions.
The Pharisees took counsel how they might entangle him in his talk. Matt. 22.
6.
To perplex or distract, as with cares.
No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life. 2 Tim.2.
7.
To multiply intricacies and difficulties.

Definition 2024

entangle

entangle

English

Alternative forms

Verb

entangle ‎(third-person singular simple present entangles, present participle entangling, simple past and past participle entangled)

  1. To tangle; to twist or interweave in such a manner as not to be easily separated; to make confused and intricate; as, to entangle yarn or the hair.
  2. To involve in such complications as to render extrication difficult; hence, metaphorically, to ensnare; to perplex; to bewilder; to puzzle; as, to entangle the feet in a net, or in briers.
  3. To involve in difficulties or embarrassments; to embarrass, puzzle, or distract by adverse or perplexing circumstances, interests, demands, etc.; to hamper; to bewilder.

Antonyms

Related terms

Translations

References

  • entangle in The Century Dictionary, The Century Co., New York, 1911
  • entangle in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913

Etymology

From the Middle English entanglen ‎(“to involve [someone] in difficulty”, “to embarrass”). Equivalent to en- +‎ tangle.

Pronunciation

  • (UK) IPA(key): /ɛnˈtaŋɡəl/, [ɛnˈtaŋɡl̩]

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