Mangler Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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mangler

[ˈmaŋɡlər ]

Definition

Context #1 | Noun

person/object

A mangler is a machine or device used for pressing or smoothing cloth or fabric. It can also refer to a person or thing that severely damages or distorts something, often leading to a significant loss of quality or function.

Synonyms

damager, destroyer, ruiner.

Examples of usage

  • The laundry uses a mangler to flatten the sheets.
  • He mangled the report with all the mistakes he made.
  • The car accident left the vehicle a mangler of twisted metal.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Industrial Uses

  • Mangers are often found in textile industries, where they are used to process materials like fabric, allowing for more efficient production.
  • In the food industry, certain manglers help in chopping or shredding ingredients, ensuring they are prepared for recipes quickly.

Pop Culture

  • In movies and novels, manglers can symbolize chaos or destruction, often being depicted as ominous machines in horror films.
  • The term inspired a popular horror film titled 'The Mangler', where a laundry machine developed a mind of its own.

Psychology

  • In metaphorical use, being 'mangled' can describe feelings of being overwhelmed or harmed emotionally, reflecting complex human experiences.
  • The term can also signify misunderstandings in communication, as if thoughts and words are twisted and distorted.

Literature

  • Literary works sometimes use manglers as symbols for industrialization and its dehumanizing effects, critiquing modern society.
  • In poetry, manglers can represent the struggle and chaos present in life, manifesting as a powerful image of vulnerability.

Origin of 'mangler'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Middle English 'manglen', meaning to injure or damage.
  • Originally, it referred to the action of maiming or deforming something before evolving into a term for machines.

The word 'mangler' comes from the verb 'to mangle,' which originates from the Middle English 'manglen' meaning 'to mutilate.' This term itself is derived from the Old French 'manger,' meaning 'to eat.' Over time, the meaning evolved to describe the act of severely damaging something, whether it be an object, text, or fabric. Historically, manglers were especially prominent during the industrial revolution when textile machinery was developed to aid in laundering and finishing fabrics. The use of the term has broadened beyond its mechanical origins to include metaphorical applications, where it describes any severe misuse or distortion of an item or idea.