I. R ˈsnärl, chiefly before pause or consonant -rəl, - R ˈsnȧl noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English snarle, probably from snare + -le (diminutive suffix)
1. chiefly dialect : snare , noose , gin
2.
a. : a tangle (as of hairs, thread, lines, plant growths) difficult or impossible to unravel
a snarl of blackberry bushes and a matting underfoot of vine — Edmund Wilson
a snarl of traffic
also : a confused or disordered group or mass : swarm
a snarl of people arrived late
b. : a condition of complication or confusion making orderly procedure or progress difficult or impossible
in the home of the direct primary … the system produced an inconclusive snarl — F.L.Paxson
Synonyms: see confusion
II. verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English snarlen, from snarle, n.
transitive verb
1.
a. chiefly dialect : to catch in a snare or noose ; also : hold fast in a knot or tangle
b. obsolete : strangle
c. obsolete : to ensnare by arts or wiles as if by a noose ; also : to bring (oneself) into a state of confused disorder : enmesh or entangle (oneself) in difficulties
2. : to get into a tangle : cause to become knotted and intertwined
snarl one's hair
3. : to make excessively or unduly complicated or confused
snarl a once simple problem
intransitive verb
: to become tangled or snarled : be inclined to tangle
this thread snarls easily
III. verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: freq. of obsolete English snar to growl, snarl; akin to Middle Dutch snarren to hum, drone — more at snore
intransitive verb
1. : to growl with a snapping or gnashing of the teeth (as of an angry dog) : utter angry or grumbling sounds with a display of teeth
2. : to give vent to anger or irritation in rude surly language : quarrel, scold, complain, or otherwise show anger or disgust in a growling, snappish, or spiteful manner
3. : to become expressed by a snarl
their anger snarls forth in angry words
transitive verb
1. : to utter or express with a snarl or by snarling
2. : to bring into a specified situation or condition by snarling
snarled himself hoarse
IV. noun
( -s )
: an act or the sound of snarling : a surly angry growl
the snarl of the waves changed to a sullen roar
V. transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: perhaps from English dialect snarl knot in wood, from snarl (I)
: to form raised work upon the outer surface of (thin metal ware) by the repercussion of a snarling iron
VI. noun
( -s )
: an anvil whose horn has an upturned projecting point over which hollow sheet-metal work in process may be placed when it is to be ornamented with reliefs — compare snarling iron