embroil
UK[ɪmˈbrɔɪl]US[ɪmˈbrɔɪl]
v
to involve someone or something in a difficult situation, argument, or conflict
v
to bring into a state of confusion or disorder
Morpheme Breakdown
em
broil
em
to put into or on
broil
to mix up, confuse
Etymology
the word 'embroil' entered english in the early 17th century from the french verb 'embrouiller', which itself combined the intensive prefix 'em-' with 'brouiller', meaning 'to confuse, mix up'. the french 'brouiller' is thought to derive from a vulgar latin root, possibly related to words for a muddy or turbid liquid, conveying the sense of stirring things into a messy confusion. the semantic journey is from the literal idea of mixing liquids into a murky state to the figurative modern meaning of involving someone in a complicated, disorderly, or contentious situation.
Analysis
Structure: em + broil
em- (prefix of latin origin via french, meaning 'to put into or on'), broil (from old french 'brouiller', meaning 'to mix up, confuse')
Examples
the politician's careless remarks managed to embroil the entire administration in a major scandal.
i didn't want to get embroiled in their lengthy family dispute.
the new evidence threatened to embroil the case in further legal complexities.