Screw Definition

skro͝o
screwed, screwing, screws
noun
screws
The internal thread, or helical groove, as of a nut, into which a male screw, bolt, etc. can be turned.
Webster's New World
The tapped collar or socket that receives this rod.
American Heritage
A mechanical device for fastening things together, consisting essentially of a cylindrical or conical piece of metal threaded evenly around its outside surface with an advancing spiral ridge and commonly having a slotted head: it penetrates only by being turned, as with a screwdriver.
Webster's New World
The act or an instance of turning such a screw.
Webster's New World
A device having a helical form, such as a corkscrew.
American Heritage
verb
screwed, screwing, screws
To go together or come apart by being turned or twisted in the manner of a screw.
A lid that screws on.
Webster's New World
To twist; turn; wind; have a motion like that of a screw.
Webster's New World
To fasten, make secure, tighten, insert, etc. with or as with a screw or screws.
Webster's New World
To put together or take apart with a screwlike motion.
Webster's New World
To attach (a tapped or threaded fitting or cap) by twisting into place.
American Heritage
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
idiom
have a screw loose
  • To behave in an eccentric or mentally deranged manner.
American Heritage
have a screw loose
  • to be eccentric, odd, etc.
Webster's New World
put the screws on
  • to subject to force; exert pressure on, as in exacting payment; coerce
Webster's New World
screw around
  • to waste time
Webster's New World
screw up
  • to make a mess (of), as by ineptness; bungle
Webster's New World

Other Word Forms of Screw

Noun

Singular:
screw
Plural:
screws

Idioms, Phrasal Verbs Related to Screw

Origin of Screw

  • From Middle English screw, scrue (“screw"); apparently, despite the difference in meaning, from Old French escroue (“nut, cylindrical socket, screwhole"), of uncertain origin. There is also the Old French escruve (“screw"), from Old Dutch *scrÅ«va ("screw"; whence Middle Dutch schruyve (“screw")), which probably influenced or conflated with the aforementioned resulting in the Middle English word.

    From Wiktionary

  • Middle English skrewe from Old French escrove female screw, nut perhaps from Medieval Latin scrōfa from Latin sow sker-1 in Indo-European roots

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

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