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

Related Words

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