Disentangle Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
๐งฉ
disentangle
[dษชsหษntรฆลษกษl ]
Definitions
in a complicated situation
To disentangle means to free something or someone from being twisted, caught, or complicated. It can also refer to sorting out a complex or confusing situation.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- He tried to disentangle the fishing line from the tree branches.
- She had to disentangle the misunderstanding between her friends.
- The detective needed to disentangle the web of lies to solve the case.
in a metaphorical sense
To disentangle can also mean to separate or extricate oneself from a complicated or difficult situation, often involving emotions or relationships.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- She needed time to disentangle herself from the toxic relationship.
- He tried to disentangle his thoughts and emotions after the breakup.
Translations
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Interesting Facts
Psychology
- Disentangling thoughts can help clear mental clutter, leading to better decision-making.
- In cognitive therapy, breaking down complex problems into simpler parts is a strategy to manage anxiety.
- The brain often visualizes problems as tangled knots, making it easier to see the way out when they are broken down.
Pop Culture
- In animated films, characters often need to disentangle themselves from humorous situations, leading to comedic moments.
- The popular book 'The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy' features a character who must disentangle himself from a series of bizarre encounters.
- Escape rooms often involve solving puzzles that require players to disentangle clues to advance.
Science
- The process of disentangling DNA strands is a crucial phase in genetic research, affecting how genes express themselves.
- In biology, disentangling complex systems helps scientists understand ecosystem interactions.
- Physicists may discuss disentangling particles to explore fundamental forces in the universe.
Literature
- Disentangling plot lines is a common theme in mystery novels where the protagonist must uncover the truth.
- In classical literature, characters often disentangle their emotions through introspective journeys.
- Many poems use the metaphor of disentangling to describe the process of understanding oneself and one's feelings.
Origin of 'disentangle'
Main points about word origin
- The word comes from the prefix 'dis-', meaning apart, and 'entangle', which means to twist together.
- It was first recorded in English around the early 17th century.
- In older forms of English, similar words were used to describe actions related to untying or sorting.
The word 'disentangle' originated from the combination of 'dis-' meaning 'apart' and 'entangle' meaning 'to twist together or entwine'. It first appeared in the English language in the early 17th century. Over time, the word has come to represent the act of separating or freeing something from a complex or tangled state, both literally and metaphorically.
See also: entangled, entanglement.