ravel Hear it!

ravel Definition

ravel (ravəl)

transitive verb -·eled or -·elled, -·el·ing or -·el·ling

  1. Now Rare to make complicated or tangled parts of his argument were all raveled up
  2. to separate the parts, esp. threads, of; untwist; unweave; unravel
  3. to make clear; disentangle

Etymology: MDu ravelen (Du rafelen), akin to LowG rabbeln, Dan dial. vrøvle: for IE base see rhapsody

intransitive verb

  1. to become separated into its parts, esp. threads; become unwoven; fray (out)
  2. Archaic to become complicated or tangled

noun

  1. a raveled part in a fabric; raveling
  2. a tangled mass or complication

ravel Related Forms
rav·eler noun or rav·el·ler
Ravel Definition

Ra·vel (rȧ vel)

Ravel, Maurice (Joseph) (mō̂ rēs) 1875-1937; Fr. composer

ravel Synonyms

ravel

v.

untwist, come apart, smooth out, untangle, disentangle, unsnarl, unbraid, untwine, unweave, untwist, unravel, fray, make plain; see also loosen 2.

ravel Usage Examples

Object

  • cord: Knit 6 rows WY, 1 row of ravel cord or crochet thread, then start using your main yarn.
  • mile: In the last nine months I have had to ravel 9,750 miles to see my children regularly.

Modifying Another Word

  • alone: Typically, a group consists of half couples or friends and half individuals raveling alone.
Ravel Quotes

There is a definite limit to the length of time a composer can go on writing in one dance rhythm. This limit is obviously reached by Ravel toward the end of LaValse and toward the beginning of Bole¤  ro.

—Lambert, Constant

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