mangle

play

verb man·gle \ˈmaŋ-gəl\

Definition of mangle

mangled

mangling

play \-g(ə-)liŋ\

transitive verb
1 : to injure with deep disfiguring wounds by cutting, tearing, or crushing <people … mangled by sharks — V. G. Heiser>
2 : to spoil, injure, or make incoherent especially through ineptitude <a story mangled beyond recognition>

mangler

play \-g(ə-)lər\ noun

Origin and Etymology of mangle

Middle English, from Anglo-French mangler, mahangler, perhaps from mahaigner to maim — more at mayhem

First Known Use: 15th century

Synonym Discussion of mangle

maim, cripple, mutilate, batter, mangle mean to injure so severely as to cause lasting damage. maim implies the loss or injury of a bodily member through violence <maimed by a shark>. cripple implies the loss or serious impairment of an arm or leg <crippled for life in an accident>. mutilate implies the cutting off or removal of an essential part of a person or thing thereby impairing its completeness, beauty, or function <a tree mutilated by inept pruning>. batter implies a series of blows that bruise deeply, deform, or mutilate <an old ship battered by fierce storms>. mangle implies a tearing or crushing that leaves deep wounds <a soldier's leg mangled by shrapnel>.