Definition of "garble" in English

verb

1. To pick out such parts (of a text) as may serve a purpose not intended by the original author; to mutilate; to pervert.

   • to garble a quotation
   • to garble an account

2. To make false by mutilation or addition. [from 17th c.]

   • The editor garbled the story.

3. To corrupt; to make unreadable, incomprehensible, or unintelligible.

4. (obsolete) To sift or bolt; to separate the fine or valuable parts of (something) from the coarse and useless parts, or from dross or dirt. [14th–19th c.]

   • to garble spices

noun

1. Confused or unintelligible speech.

   • The FCC says it decided to attempt standardization of VHF receivers after getting "thousands of complaints" from disgruntled boatmen who found their sets brought in mostly a lot of garble and static.

2. (obsolete) Refuse; rubbish.

3. (obsolete) Mutilation.

4. (obsolete) Impurities separated from spices, drugs, etc.; garblings.