17 October 2014

wrangle

[rang-guh l]

verb (used without object), wrangled, wrangling.
1. to argue or dispute, especially in a noisy or angry manner.
verb (used with object), wrangled, wrangling.
2. to argue or dispute.
3. to tend or round up (cattle, horses, or other livestock).
4. to obtain, often by contrivance or scheming; wangle:
He wrangled a job through a friend.
noun
5. a noisy or angry dispute; altercation.

Origin
Low German
1350-1400; Middle English, apparently < Low German wrangeln, frequentative of wrangen to struggle, make an uproar; akin to wring

Related forms

outwrangle, verb (used with object), outwrangled, outwrangling.
unwrangling, adjective

Can be confused
wangle, wrangle.

Synonyms
1, 5. quarrel, brawl. 5. argument.

Dictionary.com

Examples from the web for wrangle
– Matt needed to wrangle and relocate it but it put up a bit of a fight.
– Bonus points if you can wrangle a week-day visit when the crowds tend to be lightest.
– The officer also made a call asking for some help to wrangle the critter.

Anagram

we gnarl

Today’s aphorism

If you want to be a millionaire, start with a billion dollars and launch a new airline.

– Richard Branson

On this day

17 October 1814 – London Beer Flood causes the deaths of 8 people. The flood occurred when a vat containing 610,000 litres (135,000 gallons) of beer ruptured, causing other vats in the building to also rupture, resulting in a total of 1,470,000 litres (323,000 gallons) to flood nearby streets, destroying two homes and the wall of a pub. Those killed were living in the basement of houses which filled with the beer. The brewery was sued, however, the court ruled the event an ‘Act of God’.

17 October 1901 – U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt issues an Executive Order changing name of the ‘Executive Mansion’ to the ‘White House’.

17 October 1938 – birth of U.S. daredevil, Evel Knievel (Robert Craig Knievel). Knievel was best known for his failed attempt to jump over the Grand Canyon on a rocket-propelled motor-bike. He also successfully, and often unsuccessfully, attempted long distance motor-bike jumps, such as jumping 14 buses. Through his career, Knievel broke 35 bones. Died 30 November 2007.

17 October 1989 – Mother Teresa awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

17 October 2010 – Mary McKillop is canonised by Pope Benedict XVI, becoming Australia’s first saint.

17 October 2011 – Richard Branson, of Virgin Group, opens the world’s first commercial space-port, which he has based in Mexico. The first commercial launch is expected in 2013.