unˈtangle, v.
[un-2 3 and 7.]
1. trans. To free from a tangled state.
| 1550 Thomas Ital. Dict., Disbrigare, to vntangle any thyng encombred, tangled, or carefull. 1573 Tusser Husb. (1878) 135 See then..ech pole ye out get. Which being vntangled aboue in the tops, Go carrie to such as are plucking of hops. 1592 Shakes. Rom. & Jul. i. iv. 91 This is that very Mab that..bakes the Elf-locks in foule sluttish haires, which once vntangled, much misfortune bodes. c 1696 Prior Love Disarmed 35 Untangle but this cruel Chain, And freely let Me fly again. 1871 B. Taylor Faust (1875) II. 31 Useless webs she long untangled, Dragging them to air and light. |
| intr. a 1668 R. Lassels Voy. Italy (1670) II. 415 Sometimes meeting too thick in the arches of the wooden bridge,..they..are stopt for an hour together without being able to untangle. |
b. In
fig. uses. Also
refl.| 1601 Shakes. Twel. N. ii. ii. 41 O time, thou must vntangle this, not I. a 1625 Fletcher Fair Maid Inn ii. i, My care now Must be to untangle this division, That our most equal flames may be united. 1677 Wycherley Pl. Dealer v. iii, He's the best in England at untangling a flourish, Madam. 1702 Vanbrugh False Friend iii. iii, If Leonora's innocent, she may untangle all. 1883 D. C. Murray Hearts xx, The letter went unwritten. She would leave it to events to untangle themselves. 1894 Advance (Chicago) 19 Apr., They must untangle their own fate. |
2. To set free, to release, from entanglement.
| 1576 Turberv. Venerie 36 Vntangle him out of the net or stall and let him go. 1588 Dee in Ellis Lett. Eminent Lit. Men (Camden) 46 [We will] endeuour our selues..diligently to ryd and vntangle our selues from hence. 1648 Fanshawe Il Pastor Fido 89 Come, fumbler, let me see; I can my self untangle without thee. 1652 J. Wright tr. Camus' Nat. Paradox v. 900 Like..Fowlers, who glad to see the innocent Creatures fall into their Gins, instead of untangling them doe ingage them further in their Snares. 1898 Howells Open-eyed Conspir. 173 The young..have not had our experience in getting untangled, and think they are never going to get out alive. |