ravel

¹rav·el

verb \ˈra-vəl\

rav·eled or rav·elledrav·el·ing or rav·el·ling\ˈrav-liŋ, ˈra-və-\

Definition of RAVEL

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 \ˈrav-lər, ˈra-və-\ noun

— rav·el·ment \ˈra-vəl-mənt\ noun

Origin of RAVEL

Dutch rafelen, from rafel loose thread

First Known Use: 1582

Rhymes with RAVEL

cavil, gavel, gravel, travel