from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Ravel \Rav"el\ (r[a^]v"'l), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Raveled} (-'ld)
or {Ravelled}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Raveling} or {Ravelling}.]
[OD. ravelen, D. rafelen, akin to LG. rebeln, rebbeln,
reffeln.]
1. To separate or undo the texture of; to unravel; to take
apart; to untwist; to unweave or unknit; -- often followed
by out; as, to ravel a twist; to ravel out a stocking.
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Sleep, that knits up the raveled sleave of care.
--Shak.
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2. To undo the intricacies of; to disentangle.
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3. To pull apart, as the threads of a texture, and let them
fall into a tangled mass; hence, to entangle; to make
intricate; to involve.
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What glory's due to him that could divide
Such raveled interests? has the knot untied?
--Waller.
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The faith of very many men seems a duty so weak and
indifferent, is so often untwisted by violence, or
raveled and entangled in weak discourses! --Jer.
Taylor.
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