tan•gleˈtæŋ gəl(v.; n.)-gled, -gling

1. (v.t.)to bring together into a mass of confusedly interlaced or intertwisted strands; snarl.

2. to involve in something that hampers, obstructs, or overgrows.

3. to catch and hold in or as if in a net or snare.

4. (v.i.)to be or become tangled.

5. to come into conflict; fight or argue.

   Category: Informal

6. (n.)a tangled condition or situation.

   Category: Common Vocabulary

7. a tangled mass; snarl.

8. a confused jumble; maze.

9. a conflict; disagreement.

   Category: Informal

Origin of tangle:

1300–50; ME ta(n)gilen to entangle

tan′gly(adv.)

tan•gleˈtæŋ gəl(n.)

1. any of several large seaweeds of the genus

   Laminaria.

   Category: Microbiology

Origin of tangle:

1530–40; < Scand; cf. ON thǫngull strand of tangle, Norw tang