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Webster 1913 Edition


Snarl

Snarl

,
Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Snarled
;
p. pr. & vvb. n.
Snarling
.]
[Etymol. uncertain.]
To form raised work upon the outer surface of (thin metal ware) by the repercussion of a snarling iron upon the inner surface.

Snarl

,
Verb.
T.
[From
Snare
,
Verb.
T.
]
1.
To entangle; to complicate; to involve in knots;
as, to
snarl
a skein of thread
.
“Her snarled hair.”
Spenser.
2.
To embarrass; to insnare.
[The] question that they would have
snarled
him with.
Latimer.

Snarl

,
Noun.
A knot or complication of hair, thread, or the like, difficult to disentangle; entanglement; hence, intricate complication; embarrassing difficulty.

Snarl

,
Verb.
I.
[From
Snar
.]
1.
To growl, as an angry or surly dog; to gnarl; to utter grumbling sounds.
“An angry cur snarls while he feeds.”
Dryden & Lee.
2.
To speak crossly; to talk in rude, surly terms.
It is malicious and unmanly to
snarl
at the little lapses of a pen, from which Virgil himself stands not exempted.
Dryden.

Snarl

,
Noun.
The act of snarling; a growl; a surly or peevish expression; an angry contention.

Webster 1828 Edition


Snarl

SN'ARL

,
Verb.
I.
[This word seems to be allied to gnarl, and to proceed from some root signifyingto twist, bind, or fasten, or to involve, entangle, and thus to be allied to snare.]
1.
To growl, as an angry or surly dog; to gnarl; to utter grumbling sounds; but it expresses more violence than grumble. That I should snarl and bit and play the dog.
2.
To speak roughly; to talk in rude murmuring terms. It is malicious and unmanly to snarl at the little lapses of a pen, from with Virgil himself stands not exempted.

SN'ARL

, v.t.
1.
To entangle; to complicate; to involve in knots; as, to snarl the hair; to snarl a skain of thread. [This word is in universal popular use in New England.]
2.
To embarrass.

SN'ARL

,
Noun.
Entanglement; a knot or complication of hair, thread, &c., which it is difficult to disentangle.