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

It’ll be a long time before the baby Joshua trees resemble the gnarled icons that dot the park.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The trees are skinny, with gnarled branches that twist around one another.

Read more on Literature

The old woman grunted and used one long, gnarled finger to beckon Penelope inside.

Read more on Literature

She wore bangle earrings and rings etched with strange talismans on each of her gnarled fingers.

Read more on Literature

Environmentalists warn that development projects threaten the region's unique mix of dunes, pine forests, gnarled cork trees and an endless patchwork of rice fields.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

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