ravel

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Raveled r Ravelled; p. pr. & vb. n. Raveling or Ravelling. ] [ OD. ravelen, D. rafelen, akin to LG. rebeln, rebbeln, reffeln. ] 1. To separate or undo the texture of; to unravel; to take apart; to untwist; to unweave or unknit; -- often followed by out; as, to ravel a twist; to ravel out a stocking. [ 1913 Webster ]

Sleep, that knits up the raveled sleave of care. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To undo the intricacies of; to disentangle. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To pull apart, as the threads of a texture, and let them fall into a tangled mass; hence, to entangle; to make intricate; to involve. [ 1913 Webster ]

What glory's due to him that could divide
Such raveled interests? has the knot untied? Waller. [ 1913 Webster ]

The faith of very many men seems a duty so weak and indifferent, is so often untwisted by violence, or raveled and entangled in weak discourses! Jer. Taylor. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Also raveller. ] One who ravels. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ F.; cf. Sp. rebellin, It. revellino, rivellino; perhaps fr. L. re- again + vallum wall. ] (Fort.) A detached work with two embankments which make a salient angle. It is raised before the curtain on the counterscarp of the place. Formerly called demilune and half-moon. [ 1913 Webster ]