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| tan·gle [ táng g'l ] |
verb (past and past participle tan·gled, present participle tan·gling, 3rd person present singular tan·gles) |
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| Definition: |
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1. transitive and intransitive verb become twisted: to become twisted together into a jumbled mass, or make something become twisted into a jumbled mass
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2. transitive verb catch and hold something: to catch and entwine somebody or something in something that is difficult to get out of, e.g., a net or trap
  I got my jacket tangled in the branches.
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3. transitive verb trap somebody in difficult situation: to trap somebody in a complicated, awkward, or dangerous situation
tangled in a web of controversy
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4. intransitive verb come into conflict: to become involved in a confrontation or disagreement with somebody, especially somebody powerful or important
(
informal
)
Don't tangle with those people.
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noun (plural tan·gles) |
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| Definition: |
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1. jumbled mass: a mass of fibers, lines, or other things twisted together
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2. difficulty: a complicated and confused situation or problem
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3. state of mental upset: a state of mental or emotional confusion or upset
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4. argument: a confrontation or disagreement with somebody
(
informal
)
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| [14th century. Origin ?] |
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| tan·gle·ment noun |
| tan·gler noun |
| tan·gly adjective |
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