Definition of tousle

tousleverb

lộn xộn

/ˈtaʊzl//ˈtaʊzl/

The word "tousle" is derived from the Old Norse word "tynsla," which means "to shake or disorder." This word found its way into Middle English as "tenzelen" and later evolved into "tunselen" in Early Modern English. The spelling of the word evolved over time, with popular variations including "tensel" and "tansell." During the late 17th century, "tousle" emerged as a more common and simplified form of the word, replacing older spellings. The Oxford English Dictionary dates its usage back to around 1685, when it first appeared in a written work. However, the literal meaning of disarraying or jumbling remained the same. In modern usage, "tousle" typically describes a disordered or messy state caused by shaking, as seen in messy hair or scattered clothing. In a broader sense, the verb "to tousle" connotes an untidy and casual atmosphere, implying that the affected object or person is less than perfectly organized. In summary, the origin of the word "tousle" can be traced back to Old Norse, and it has undergone several linguistic evolutions before settling into its current form, retaining its original meaning of disorder or disarray.

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Example:
  • As the wind picked up, she playfully tousled his hair.

    Khi gió nổi lên, cô vui vẻ xoa tóc anh.

  • The toddler's curls were tousled from a nap as she crawled into her mother's lap.

    Những lọn tóc xoăn của cô bé rối bù sau giấc ngủ trưa khi cô bé bò vào lòng mẹ.

  • After waking up, the bedhead of the teenager in question was an unruly mess, tousled and wild.

    Sau khi thức dậy, đầu tóc của cô thiếu niên đó trở nên rối bù, bù xù và hoang dã.

  • The tousled surfer stepped off the wave and brushed his hair back, his eyes burning with the excitement of the moment.

    Người lướt sóng tóc rối bước ra khỏi con sóng và vuốt tóc ra sau, đôi mắt anh sáng lên vì sự phấn khích lúc này.

  • The tousled head of the gardener was framed by the flowers that he'd worked so hard to cultivate.

    Mái đầu bù xù của người làm vườn được bao quanh bởi những bông hoa mà anh ta đã vất vả chăm sóc.

  • In a rush to leave, the businessman's neat hair had been tousled by the wind, resulting in a bewildered frown.

    Trong lúc vội vã rời đi, mái tóc gọn gàng của vị doanh nhân đã bị gió thổi rối tung, khiến anh ta cau mày đầy bối rối.

  • The tousled mane of the ponytail-clad horse was shining with sweat as it galloped around the equestrian center.

    Bờm rối bù của chú ngựa buộc tóc đuôi ngựa lấp lánh mồ hôi khi nó phi nước đại quanh trung tâm cưỡi ngựa.

  • The tousled dog heaved a sigh, as if regretting that its owner had combed its fur into submission every morning.

    Con chó đầu bù tóc rối thở dài, như thể hối hận vì chủ đã chải lông cho nó mỗi sáng.

  • The tousled curls of the little girl's friend bounced wildly as she played on the swings.

    Những lọn tóc xoăn rối bù của cô bé bạn nhảy múa tưng bừng khi cô bé chơi trên xích đu.

  • The tousled noses of the newborns in the intensive care unit spoke of the exhaustion of the parents, who had been up all night.

    Chiếc mũi bù xù của những đứa trẻ sơ sinh trong phòng chăm sóc đặc biệt cho thấy sự kiệt sức của cha mẹ chúng, những người đã thức trắng đêm.

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