Also 7 im-. [f. EMBROIL v.2 + -MENT; cf. Fr. embrouillement.]
1. The action or process of embroiling.
1622–62. Heylin, Cosmogr., I. (1682), 136. To the great embroilment of the State.
1837. Carlyle, Fr. Rev., I. III. vii. Now … does come discussion … but only for new embroilment.
2. An uproar, tumult.
1609. Daniel, Civ. Wares, VII. 110. [The Muse] … weary with these embroylements, faine would stay Her farther course.
1646. Sir J. Temple, Irish Rebell., Pref. 3. The true causes of the imbroilments in that Kingdome.
a. 1714. Burnet, Own Time (1766), II. 32. He was not apprehensive of a new embroilment.
1819. Scott, Leg. Montrose, iii. A cavalier of honour is free to take any part in this civil embroilment.
b. A state of variance or hostility; a quarrel.
1642. Ld. Digby, Elvira (1667), 73. Drawing those advantages From the Embroilment.
a. 1711. Ken, Hymnarium, Wks. 1721, II. 37. Embroilments ne’er would cease, Shou’d Rivals share the Realm of Peace.
1845. Disraeli, Sybil, 314. The lively temperament of the Dandy would here probably have involved him in an inconvenient embroilment.
1872. Yeats, Growth Comm., 216. A bitter embroilment with England followed this merciless act.
3. transf. and fig. A perplexed or confused state or condition; confused mixture.
1856. Ferrier, Inst. Metaph., Introd. § 62. The whole embroilment of philosophy is due to the practice [etc.].
1859. Gullick & Timbs, Painting, 257. The careless embroilment of transparent and opaque tints.
1878. Dowden, Stud. Lit., 238. A tangle and embroilment of evil and good.
4. Complication, entanglement (in a story, etc.).
1884. Sat. Rev., 14 June, 787. Such details and embroilments as the story contains form the only excuse for its length.
