In a tangled condition; twisted together in a confused or difficult way.
Formed with the prefix 'a-' (meaning 'in' or 'into') combined with 'tangle', creating an adjectival form meaning 'in a state of being tangled'. The 'a-' prefix is found in older or poetic English like 'afire' or 'ablaze'.
Words like 'atangle' show how English loved using the 'a-' prefix to create vivid, poetic descriptions—so instead of saying 'in a tangle,' you'd say 'atangle,' which sounds more dramatic and literary, especially in older texts.
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