entangled

Everyday

1. Caught and twisted up in string, rope, nets, hair or plants so it cannot move freely. tree →
2. Twisted together in a messy knot. tree →
3. Mixed up in a difficult situation, problem or relationship. tree →

In the lessons

Common in nature and safety texts («a seal entangled in netting»), in everyday life («entangled hair», «entangled wires») and in stories where characters are «entangled in a web of lies». It tells the reader that something is stuck or hard to get out of.

Examples

• The bird was entangled in fishing line. tree →
• My hair got entangled in the zip. tree →
• The rescuers freed the entangled whale. tree →
• The roots were entangled under the ground. tree →
• She got entangled in a quarrel between her friends. tree →
• His shoelaces were entangled in the bike chain. tree →
• The kittens rolled about, entangled in the wool. tree →
• This one had been caught by hounds when his tail had become entangled in the hedge. tree →

Note

Past form of entangle: entangled. Used with «in»: entangled in. In physics, «entangled» also names a special link between tiny particles — that is far beyond primary school.

In Jewish tradition

Pharaoh says the Israelites are lost and tangled up in the land, with no way out of the wilderness.

Interpretation. Tradition reads this as Pharaoh's false thought that lured him to chase Israel to the sea, and God led him to it on purpose.

Examples

• And Pharaoh will say of the children of Israel: They are entangled in the land, the wilderness hath shut them in. (Torah EXO.14.3, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Past form of entangle: entangled. Used with «in»: entangled in. In physics, «entangled» also names a special link between tiny particles — that is far beyond primary school.