I. ˈtaŋ-gəl verb
( tan·gled ; tan·gling -g(ə-)liŋ)
Etymology: Middle English tanglen, tagilen, probably short for entanglen, from Anglo-French entagler, entangler to prosecute (for), implicate
Date: 14th century
transitive verb
1. : to involve so as to hamper, obstruct, or embarrass
2. : to seize and hold in or as if in a snare : entrap
3. : to unite or knit together in intricate confusion
intransitive verb
1. : to interact in a contentious or conflicting way
2. : to become entangled
II. noun
Date: 1615
1. : a tangled twisted mass : snarl
2.
a. : a complicated or confused state or condition
b. : a state of perplexity or complete bewilderment
3. : a serious altercation : dispute
4. : neurofibrillary tangle
III. noun
Etymology: of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse thǫngull tangle, thang seaweed
Date: 1536
: a large seaweed