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contort Definition

con·tort (kən tôrt′)

transitive verb, intransitive verb

to twist or wrench out of its usual form into one that is grotesque; distort violently a face contorted with pain

Etymology: < L contortus, pp. of contorquere, to whirl, twist < com-, together + torquere, to twist: see tort

contort Synonyms

contort

v.

distort, deform, misshape, twist; see bend 1, distort 3. See syn. study at distort.

contort Usage Examples

Object

  • face: Let me tell him what has contorted those faces.
  • body: The Druids would divine the future by observing the victims ' flaying limbs and contorting body as they were thrown into the flames.