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

In a little while he returned, carrying a gnarl of pine wood, which he set to blazing at the fire.

From Project Gutenberg

The ball is a knob or gnarl from the trunk of a tree, carefully formed into a globular shape.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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