tangle etymology

Etymology:

The word "tangle" originates from the Middle English word "tangel," which is itself derived from the Old Norse word "tengja," meaning "to grasp" or "to hold fast."

Meaning:

• An intricate mass of threads, fibers, or branches that are knotted or twisted together.
• A confused or complicated situation or problem.
• A trap or snare.

Origin:

The word "tangle" can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic language, which was spoken by the ancestors of the Germanic peoples. The Proto-Germanic word tengōn meant "to grasp" or "to hold fast." This word is also related to the English word "thong," which refers to a narrow strip of leather used to secure something.

Over time, the meaning of "tangle" evolved to refer to a mass of threads or fibers that are knotted or twisted together. This sense of the word is first attested in the 13th century. The figurative sense of "tangle," meaning a complicated situation, also emerged around this time.

Examples of Usage:

• "The hiker became hopelessly lost in the tangle of undergrowth."
• "The murder mystery proved to be a complex tangle of clues and suspects."
• "The salesman set a tangle of traps to try to trick the customer into buying."

tangle relate terms

• entangle

  Etymology Middle English entanglen from Anglo French entangler from Old French entan

• tangle

  Etymology The word tangle originates from the Middle English word tangel which is i

• untangle

  Etymology Derived from Old English untanglian meaning to separate or disentangle C

• tangle

  Etymology The word tangle originates from the Middle English word tangel which is i

• embroil

  Etymology The word embroil derives from the Old French word embroller which in turn

• sweep

  Etymology Old English swapan to sweep brush Proto Germanic swōpaną Proto Indo Eur

• drag

  Etymology The word drag originates from the Middle English term dragen which means

• raggedy

  Etymology The word raggedy is of unknown origin It is speculated to be derived from

• fuchsia

  Etymology The word fuchsia is derived from the scientific name of the plant Fuchsia ma

• ravel

  Etymology The word ravel derives from the Middle English word ravelen which in turn

• ravel

  Etymology The word ravel derives from the Middle English word ravelen which in turn

• knot

  Etymology The word knot is derived from the Old English word cnotta which meant a k

• interlace

  Etymology Interlace is derived from the Latin word inter meaning between and lac

• velar

  Etymology Late Latin velaris Latin velum veil cover Meaning and Origin Velar r