gnarl

¹

[nahrl]

noun

1. a knotty protuberance on a tree; knot.

verb (used with object)

1. to twist into a knotted or distorted form.

   Synonyms: distort, contort

gnarl

²

[nahrl]

verb (used without object)

1. to growl; snarl.

gnarl

¹

/ nɑːl /

noun

1. any knotty protuberance or swelling on a tree

verb

1. (tr) to knot or cause to knot

gnarl

²

/ nɑːl, nɑː /

verb

1. obsolete,  (intr) to growl or snarl

Word History and Origins

Origin of gnarl¹

First recorded in 1805–15; back formation from gnarled

Origin of gnarl²

First recorded in 1585–95; variant of gnar

Word History and Origins

Origin of gnarl¹

C19: back formation from gnarled, probably variant of knurled; see _knurl

Origin of gnarl²

C16: of imitative origin

Example Sentences

I quickly snuck back into my hideaway and stayed quiet, listening to the gnarled sounds of this massive animal grazing just feet away from me.

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Nearby, a gorgeous photograph of a single gnarled tree amid green rolling hills becomes quietly apocalyptic, as if the voluptuous earth is preparing to shake off morbid memories.

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The father appeared stunned, while the son runs away from the gnarled metal and broken glass.

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After laying the groundwork for their paths, the couple removed a gnarled fig tree stump and covered the grass and weeds with leftover cardboard boxes from their move.

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Also, the designation “forest” seems generous: The gnarled and stripped trees look broken, suggesting an open wasteland instead of a battleground that could provide cover.

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Related Words

• alter 
• belie 
• deceive 
• disfigure 
• mangle 
• misconstrue 
• misinterpret 
• misrepresent 
• pervert 
• twist 
• warp