1. trans. To free from a tangled state.
1550. Thomas, Ital. Dict., Disbrigare, to vntangle any thyng encombred, tangled, or carefull.
1573. Tusser, Husb. (1878), 135. See then … ech pole ye out get. Which being vntangled aboue in the tops, Go carrie to such as are plucking of hops.
1592. Shaks., Rom. & Jul., I. iv. 91. This is that very Mab that … bakes the Elf-locks in foule sluttish haires, which once vntangled, much misfortune bodes.
c. 1696. Prior, Love Disarmed, 35. Untangle but this cruel Chain, And freely let Me fly again.
1871. B. Taylor, Faust (1875), II. 31. Useless webs she long untangled, Dragging them to air and light.
intr. a. 1668. Lassels, Voy. Italy (1670), II. 475. Sometimes meeting too thick in the arches of the wooden bridge,… they … are stopt for an hour together without being able to untangle.
b. In fig. uses. Also refl.
1601. Shaks., Twel. N., II. ii. 41. O time, thou must vntangle this, not I.
a. 1625. Fletcher, Fair Maid Inn, II. i. My care now Must be to untangle this division, That our most equal flames may be united.
1677. Wycherley, Pl. Dealer, V. iii. He’s the best in England at untangling a flourish, Madam.
1702. Vanbrugh, False Friend, III. iii. If Leonora’s innocent, she may untangle all.
1883. D. C. Murray, Hearts, xx. The letter went unwritten. She would leave it to events to untangle themselves.
1894. Advance (Chicago), 19 April. They must untangle their own fate.
2. To set free, to release, from entanglement.
1576. Turberv., Venerie, 36. Vntangle him out of the net or stall and let him go.
1588. Dee, in Ellis, Lett. Eminent Lit. Men (Camden), 46. [We will] endeuour our selues … diligently to ryd and vntangle our selues from hence.
1648. Fanshawe, Il Pastor Fido, 8. Come, fumbler, let me see; I can my self untangle without thee.
1652. J. Wright, trans. Camus’ Nat. Paradox, v. 900. Like … Fowlers, who glad to see the innocent Creatures fall into their Gins, instead of untangling them doe ingage them further in their Snares.
1898. Howells, Open-eyed Conspir., 173. The young … have not had our experience in getting untangled, and think they are never going to get out alive.
