ScienceAugust 26, 2026

disentangle

dis-en-TANG-gul

Definition

To separate or clarify complex, overlapping, or confused information or patterns.

Etymology

Derived from the prefix 'dis-' (reversal) and 'entangle' (to twist or ensnare). It appeared in English in the 17th century, originally literal and later used figuratively to describe clarifying complex ideas or situations.

In the news

Scientists used mathematical methods to disentangle the repeating patterns of tides from the irregular, sparse timing of satellite observations.

Tides Can Vary by Nearly a Meter Across a Single Bay and We’re Just Figuring This Out

Read the full article ↗

ZME Science

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