unravel

unravel
[[t]ʌnræ̱v(ə)l[/t]]
unravels, unravelling, unravelled
(in AM, use unraveling, unraveled)
1) VERB If something such as a plan or system unravels, it breaks up or begins to fail.

His government began to unravel because of a banking scandal...

When she returned to America, the marriage unravelled.

2) V-ERG If you unravel a mystery or puzzle, or it unravels, it gradually becomes clearer and you can work out the answer to it.

[V n] A young mother has flown to Iceland to unravel the mystery of her husband's disappearance...

Gradually, with an intelligent use of flashbacks, Yves' story unravels.

3) V-ERG If you unravel something that is knotted, woven, or knitted, or if it unravels, it becomes one straight piece again or separates into its different threads.

[V n] He was good with his hands and could unravel a knot or untangle yarn that others wouldn't even attempt...

The stairway carpet is so frayed it threatens to unravel.


English dictionary. 2008.

Игры ⚽ Поможем написать курсовую
Synonyms:

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Unravel — Un*rav el, v. t. [1st pref. un (intensive) + ravel.] [1913 Webster] 1. To disentangle; to disengage or separate the threads of; as, to unravel a stocking. [1913 Webster] 2. Hence, to clear from complication or difficulty; to unfold; to solve; as …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Unravel — Un*rav el, v. i. To become unraveled, in any sense. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • unravel — index ascertain, clarify, construe (translate), detect, discover, disengage, disentangle, elucidate …   Law dictionary

  • unravel — (v.) c.1600, from UN (Cf. un ) (2) + RAVEL (Cf. ravel) …   Etymology dictionary

  • unravel — *solve, resolve, unfold, decipher Analogous words: disentangle, untangle, *extricate: elucidate, explicate, interpret, *explain, expound …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • unravel — has inflected forms unravelled, unravelling in BrE and usually unraveled, unraveling in AmE. In current English it is likely to have a figurative meaning, either (1) ‘to solve (a mystery or puzzle)’ or (2) in intransitive use, ‘to fail or… …   Modern English usage

  • unravel — ► VERB (unravelled, unravelling; US unraveled, unraveling) 1) undo (twisted, knitted, or woven threads); unwind. 2) become undone. 3) investigate and solve (a mystery or puzzle). 4) begin to fail or collapse …   English terms dictionary

  • unravel — [un rav′əl] vt. unraveled or unravelled, unraveling or unravelling 1. to undo (something woven or tangled); untangle or separate the threads of 2. to make clear of confusion or involvement; solve vi. to become unraveled unravelment n …   English World dictionary

  • Unravel — Infobox Song Name = Unravel Type = Song Artist = Björk alt Artist = Album = Homogenic Published = Released = track no = 3 Recorded = Genre = Ambient, Electronic, Alternative Length = 3:21 Writer = Björk Composer = Björk Label = Producer = Tracks …   Wikipedia

  • unravel — UK [ʌnˈræv(ə)l] / US verb Word forms unravel : present tense I/you/we/they unravel he/she/it unravels present participle unravelling past tense unravelled past participle unravelled 1) [transitive] to understand something complicated by thinking… …   English dictionary

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