▪ I. † emˈbroil, n. Obs.
Also imbroil(e.
[f. embroil v.2 Cf. Sp. embrollo, It. imbroglio: see imbroglio.]
1. A state of entanglement or confusion; a disturbance, uproar.
| 1636 E. Dacres tr. Machiavel's Disc. Livy II. 510 Before such imbroiles, few of the citizens of Venice could foresee the danger. 1700 Rycaut Hist. Turks III. 550 Impossible for any Embroils..for ever after to arise in the Lesser Asia. a 1734 North Exam. i. ii. §14 (1740) 37 Any Imbroil or Concussion of the Public. 1788 Antiquities in Ann. Reg. 120 During these embroils, the god..stole off. |
b. A quarrel.
| 1742 Walpole Lett. H. Mann I. xxxiii. (1833) 142 As to your embroil with Richcourt I condemn you excessively. |
2. Mental disturbance, ‘worry’.
| 1799 in Nicolas Disp. Nelson IV. 107 Never let such a thought come into your head, which was never more wanted to be clear from embroils than at this moment. |
▪ II. † emˈbroil, v.1 Obs. rare.
[f. en- + broil v.1]
trans. To set on fire, burn up. Hence emˈbroiling ppl. a.
| 1664 H. More Decay Chr. Piety (L.) That knowledge, for which we..rifle God's cabinet, should, like the coal from the altar, serve only to embroil and consume the sacrilegious invaders. 1726 Thomson Winter 247 Wisely regardful of the embroiling sky. |
▪ III. embroil, v.2
(ɛmˈbrɔɪl)
Also 7 enbroile, embroyle, 6–7 imbroyle, 6–8 imbroil.
[ad. F. embrouiller = Sp. embrollar, It. imbrogliare; cf. en- and broil n. and v.]
1. trans. To bring (affairs, etc.) into a state of confusion or disorder; to confuse, render unintelligible (a story).
| 1603 Daniel Defence of Rhime (1717) 12 These pretended Proportions of Words..embroil our Understanding. 1609 ― Civ. Wares v. st. 47 One mans Cause shall all the rest imbroyle. 1656 Cowley Pindarique Odes (1669) 16 note 2 The mention of his Brother Iphiclus..would but embroil the story. 1678 Dryden All for Love, Dedic. Your Enemies had so embroyl'd the management of your Office, that etc. 1704 Addison Italy (1733) 176 The former..are so embroil'd with Fable and Legend. 1823 Scott Peveril xxxviii, Having embroiled everything in which you are concerned. |
2. To throw into uproar or tumult.
| 1618 Bolton Florus (1636) 67 The tyranny of the Decemvirs embroyled the City the second time. 1667 Milton P.L. ii. 966 Tumult and Confusion all imbroild. 1704 Hearne Duct. Hist. (1714) I. 56 The many Wars wherewith his [David's] Reign was embroiled. 1725 Pope Odyss. xii. 242 Tumultuous waves embroil'd the bellowing flood. 1726 Thomson Winter 1019 More to embroil the deep. |
3. To involve or entangle in dissension or hostility with (any one); to bring into a state of discord or disunion.
| 1610 G. Fletcher Christ's Vict. (1632) 17 Or had his body been imbroyl'd alone In fierce assault. 1631 Gouge God's Arrows iii. §89. 350 They..with delight enbroile themselves therein [warre]. 1653 Holcroft Procopius 7 The Emperour..intending to imbroyle Theodatus and the Goths. 1654 Gayton Pleas. Notes 188 Warres have been wag'd, and Nations embroyl'd in blood one against another. 1680 in Somers Tracts II. 84 [They] embroiled him with the House of Commons. 1741 Richardson Pamela I. 175 What, and imbroil myself with a Man of Mr. B's Power and Fortune! 1756 J. Warton Ess. Pope (1782) I. 312 To be embroiled in controversy. 1865 Dickens Lett. (1880) II. 240 If the Americans don't embroil us in a war. |