unravel

Universal Words verb (-ll-, AmE -l-) 1 if you unravel threads that are twisted, woven or knitted, or if they unravel, they become separated into loose threads: [VN] I unravelled the string and wound it into a ball. [also V] 2 [V] (of a system, plan, relationship, etc.) to start to fail or no longer stay together as a whole: When did communism begin to unravel in Eastern Europe? 3 to explain sth that is difficult to understand or is mysterious; to become clearer or easier to understand: [VN] The discovery will help scientists unravel the mystery of the Ice Age. [also V]