— raveler; esp. Brit., raveller , n. — ravelly , adj.
/rav"euhl/ , v. , raveled, raveling or ( esp. Brit. ) ravelled, ravelling , n.
v.t.
1. to disentangle or unravel the threads or fibers of (a woven or knitted fabric, rope, etc.).
2. to tangle or entangle.
3. to involve; confuse; perplex.
4. to make clear; unravel (often fol. by out ).
v.i.
5. to become disjoined thread by thread or fiber by fiber; fray.
6. to become tangled.
7. to become confused or perplexed.
8. (of a road surface) to lose aggregate.
n.
9. a tangle or complication.
[ 1575-85; rafelen ]