ravelling

Ra·vel  (r-vl, rä-), (Joseph) Maurice 1875-1937.

French composer of impressionistic operas, ballets, orchestral works, such as Boléro (1928), and piano works, including Le Tombeau de Couperin (1917).

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rav·el  (rvl)

v. rav·eled also rav·elled, rav·el·ing also rav·el·ling, rav·els also rav·els

v.tr.

1. To separate the fibers or threads of (cloth, for example); unravel.

2. To clarify by separating the aspects of.

3. To tangle or complicate.

v.intr.

1. To become separated into its component threads; unravel or fray.

2. To become tangled or confused.

n.

1. A raveling.

2. A broken or discarded thread.

3. A tangle.

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[Obsolete Dutch ravelen, from ravel, loose thread.]

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ravel·er, ravel·ler n.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

ravelling - a bit of fiber that has become separated from woven fabric raveling fiber, fibre - a slender and greatly elongated substance capable of being spun into yarn lint - fine ravellings of cotton or linen fibers