intangling

Updated: May 10, 2025

So they thanked him for all his kindness, and went softly along the right way. "Come hither, you that walk along the way, See how the Pilgrims fare that go astray; They catched are in an intangling Net, 'Cause they good Counsel lightly did forget; 'Tis true they rescu'd were, but yet you see They're scourg'd to boot: Let this your caution be."

Eva March Tappan - The Children's Hour, v 5. Stories From Seven Old Favorites

Here indeed lies the justest and most plausible objection against a considerable part of metaphysics, that they are not properly a science; but arise either from the fruitless efforts of human vanity, which would penetrate into subjects utterly inaccessible to the understanding, or from the craft of popular superstitions, which, being unable to defend themselves on fair ground, raise these intangling brambles to cover and protect their weakness.

David Hume - An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding

The sensible reason for these courtship regulations was "to prevent young folk from intangling themselves by rash and inconsiderate contracts of maridge."

Alice Morse Earle - Customs and Fashions in Old New England