UNRAVEL
run, unravel
(verb) become undone; “the sweater unraveled”
unravel, unknot, unscramble, untangle, unpick
(verb) become or cause to become undone by separating the fibers or threads of; “unravel the thread”
ravel, unravel, ravel out
(verb) disentangle; “can you unravel the mystery?”
Source: WordNet® 3.1
Etymology
Verb
unravel (third-person singular simple present unravels, present participle (US) unraveling or unravelling, simple past and past participle (US) unraveled or unravelled)
(transitive) To separate the threads (of); disentangle.
(intransitive) (of threads, etc.) To become separated; (of something woven, knitted, etc.) to come apart.
(transitive, figurative) To clear from complication or difficulty; to unfold; to solve.
(transitive, figurative) To separate the connected or united parts of; to throw into disorder; to confuse.
(intransitive, figurative) To become undone; to collapse.
Usage notes
The spellings unraveling and unraveled are primarily US while unravelling and unravelled are primarily UK, other Commonwealth countries, and Ireland.
Synonyms
• (separate the threads of): disentangle, unsnarl
• (clear from complication): solve, unriddle
Anagrams
• venular, vulnera
Source: Wiktionary
Un*rav"el, v. t. Etym: [1st pref. un- (intensive) + ravel.]
1. To disentangle; to disengage or separate the threads of; as, to unravel a stocking.
2. Hence, to clear from complication or difficulty; to unfold; to solve; as, to unravel a plot.
3. To separate the connected or united parts of; to throw into disorder; to confuse. "Art shall be conjured for it, and nature all unraveled." Dryden.
Un*rav"el, v. i.
Definition: To become unraveled, in any sense.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition
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