entangle

English

Alternative forms

entangel [16th C.], intangle [16th–18th CC.]

Etymology

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

Pronunciation

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

Verb

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

(transitive) To tangle up; to twist or interweave in such a manner as not to be easily separated
The dolphins became entangled in a fishing net.
(transitive) To involve in such complications as to render extrication difficult
(transitive, figuratively), to ensnare
Synonyms: perplex, bewilder, puzzle
(transitive) To involve in difficulties or embarrassments; to embarrass, puzzle, or distract by adverse or perplexing circumstances, interests, demands, etc.; to hamper; to bewilder.

Antonyms

disentangle

Related terms

entanglement
entangler
entangling

Translations

twist or interweave

Bulgarian: вплитам (bg) (vplitam)
Czech: zaplést
Dutch: verwarren (nl), verknopen (nl), verstrengelen (nl)
Finnish: kietoa (fi)
French: intriquer (fr), empêtrer (fr), tortiller (fr)
Italian: ingarbugliare, intrigare (it), confondere (it)

Maori: rore
Romanian: zăpăci (ro), încurca (ro)
Scottish Gaelic: amail
Slovak: zamotať, zapliesť
Spanish: enredar (es)

involve in complications

Catalan: enredar (ca)
Czech: zapříst pf, zaplést pf
Dutch: verstrikken (nl), verwikkelen (nl)
Finnish: kietoa (fi), sotkea (fi)

Lithuanian: įpainioti
Romanian: a vârî în bucluc, încurca (ro)
Scottish Gaelic: amail
Slovak: popliesť, dopliesť

involve in difficulties

Finnish: kietoa (fi), sotkea (fi)
Lithuanian: įpainioti
Maori: rore

Romanian: încurca (ro)
Scottish Gaelic: amail

References

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

Anagrams

entangel