tangle
UK: ˈtæŋɡl | US: ˈtæŋɡl
n. a confused mass of something twisted together
vt. to twist or become twisted together in a confused mass
vi. to become involved in a complicated or confused situation
The word "tangle" originates from Middle English tanglen, likely derived from Scandinavian sources (e.g., Old Norse þöngull, meaning "seaweed," which forms twisted masses). The root tang reflects the action of twisting, while -le is a frequentative suffix indicating repeated or ongoing action. Over time, "tangle" evolved from describing physical knots to metaphorical complexities.
Her hair was a messy tangle after the windy walk.
The fishing lines tangle easily if not stored properly.
He tried to tangle the ropes into a secure knot.
The plot of the movie tangles several storylines together.
Avoid letting the wires tangle behind the desk.