Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Mangle \Man"gle\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Mangled}; p. pr. & vb. n.
   {Mangling}.] [A frequentative fr. OE. manken to main, AS.
   mancian, in bemancian to mutilate, fr. L. mancus maimed;
   perh. akin to G. mangeln to be wanting.]
   1. To cut or bruise with repeated blows or strokes, making a
      ragged or torn wound, or covering with wounds; to tear in
      cutting; to cut in a bungling manner; to lacerate; to
      mutilate.

            Mangled with ghastly wounds through plate and mail.
                                                  --Milton.

   2. To mutilate or injure, in making, doing, or pertaining;
      as, to mangle a piece of music or a recitation.

            To mangle a play or a novel.          --Swift.