Pronunciation: ' ra-v ə l
Function: verb
Inflected Form: -eled or -elled ; -el · ing or -el · ling \ ' rav-li ŋ , ' ra-v ə - \
Etymology: Dutch rafelen, from rafel loose thread
Date: 1582
transitive verb
1 a : to separate or undo the texture of : UNRAVEL b : to undo the intricacies of : DISENTANGLE
2 : ENTANGLE , CONFUSE
intransitive verb
1 obsolete : to become entangled or confused
2 : to become unwoven, untwisted, or unwound : FRAY
3 : BREAK UP , CRUMBLE
– rav · el · er \ ' rav-l ə r, ' ra-v ə - \ noun
– rav · el · ment \ ' ra-v ə l-m ə nt \ noun