mangle etymology

Etymology

The word "mangle" has a long and complex etymology that can be traced back to several languages:

• Old English: "mangian" (to smash or crush)
• Middle English: "mangel" (a roller or press)
• Old High German: "mangol" (a roller)
• Latin: "mangere" (to chew or bite)

Origins

The earliest recorded use of the word "mangle" in English dates back to the 14th century. It originally referred to the process of pressing and rolling cloth to remove wrinkles and make it smoother. The word also came to be used for the machine that performed this task, known as a mangle or mangle board.

Meanings

The word "mangle" has several meanings depending on its context:

1. To crush, smash, or damage: * "The car crashed into the wall and mangled the wreckage."

2. To press or roll (usually cloth): * "She mangles her sheets every week to get them smooth."

3. To twist, distort, or deform: * "The truth was mangled in the telling of the story."

4. To mutilate or disfigure: * "The victim was badly mangled in the accident."

5. A machine or device for pressing or rolling cloth: * "The laundry uses a large mangle to smooth out linens."

Additional Meanings:

• In some parts of the world, "mangle" refers to a fruit grinding device used for making puree or juice.
• In slang, "to mangle" can mean to speak or write badly.

mangle relate terms

• maim

  Etymology The word maim comes from the Old French word mahemer which means to injur

• mayhem

  Etymology Old French meshaigner Latin machamer to cut mangle injure Meaning

• mangonel

  Etymology The word mangonel is derived from the Old French word mangoneau which its

• maul

  Etymology The word maul comes from the Old English word mawl meaning a large hammer

• lacerate

  Etymology From Latin lacerāre meaning to tear or mangle Ultimately derived from the

• mangrove

  Etymology Mangrove comes from the Portuguese word mangue which itself is derived fr

• higgledy piggledy

  Etymology The origin of higgledypiggledy is uncertain but there are several theories

• press

  Etymology The word press originates from the Old French word presse which in turn c

• warp

  Etymology Warp comes from the Old English word weorpan meaning to throw or to cast

• wrap

  Etymology The word wrap originates from the Middle English word wrappen which itself

• damage

  Etymology The word damage comes from the Old French word damager which means to inj

• disfigure

  Etymology From Middle English disfigure from Anglo Norman French desfigurer from Late

• garble

  Etymology Middle English garbelen from Anglo French garbeler from Old French garbel