Garble

Pronunciation

• Rhymes: -ɑː(ɹ)bÉ™l

Origin

Anglo-Norman garbeler ("to sift"), from Medieval Latin garbellare, from Arabic غربل (ğárbala, "to sift").

Full definition of garble

Verb

1. (obsolete) To sift or bolt, to separate the fine or valuable parts of from the coarse and useless parts, or from dross or dirt; as, to garble spices.
2. To pick out such parts of as may serve a purpose; to mutilate; to pervert; as, to garble a quotation; to garble an account.
3. To make false by mutilation or additionThe editor garbled the story.

Derived terms

• garbley gook

Noun

1. (obsolete) refuse; rubbish
2. (obsolete) Impurities separated from spices, drugs, etc.; garblings.