snarl

Etymology

From Middle English snarlen, frequentative of snar (“to snarl”), equivalent to snar +‎ -le.

Pronunciation

• Rhymes: -ɑː(r)l

Noun

snarl (plural snarls)

1. A knot or complication of hair, thread, or the like, difficult to disentangle

   Synonym: entanglement

2. An intricate complication; a problematic difficulty.
3. The act of snarling; a growl; a surly or peevish expression; an angry contention.
4. A growl, for example that of an angry or surly dog, or similar; grumbling sounds
5. A slow-moving traffic jam

Verb

snarl (third-person singular simple present snarls, present participle snarling, simple past and past participle snarled)

1. To form raised work upon the outer surface of (thin metal ware) by the repercussion of a snarling iron upon the inner surface.
2. To entangle; to complicate; to involve in knots.

   to snarl a skein of thread

   • Spenser

     And from her back her garments she did tear, / And from her head oft rent her snarled hair […]

3. To embarrass; to ensnare.
   • Latimer

     [the] question that they would have snarled him with

4. To growl, like an angry or surly dog; to gnarl; to utter grumbling sounds.
5. To speak crossly; to talk in rude, surly terms.
   • Dryden

     It is malicious and unmanly to snarl at the little lapses of a pen, from which Virgil himself stands not exempted.

Related terms

• ensnarl

Further reading

• snarl in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913
• snarl in The Century Dictionary, The Century Co., New York, 1911
• snarl at OneLook Dictionary Search

Anagrams

• larns

Noun

snarl n (genitive singular snarls, no plural)

1. a snack, a light meal