verb
ravel
To fray or come apart into threads.
The cut edge of the fabric begins to ravel.
Etymology
The Dutch ancestor means to fray or unravel. The selected sense preserves threads coming loose, even though English ravel also developed uses for tangling them.
More examples
- She stitches the hem before the threads ravel further.
- The old rope has raveled at both ends.
- Loose threads ravel away from the worn sleeve.
Forms
ravel · ravels · raveled · raveling
Similar words
- fray
- The more familiar word for coming apart into loose threads.
- unravel
- Unravel more commonly means come apart into threads; ravel can have that same sense despite lacking un-.