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