sprain Hear it!

sprain definition

sprain (sprān)

transitive verb

to wrench or twist a ligament or muscle of (a joint, as the ankle) without dislocating the bones

Etymology: < ? OFr espreindre, to force out, strain < VL *expremere, for L exprimere: see express

noun

  1. an act of spraining
  2. the resulting condition, characterized by swelling, pain, and disablement of the joint

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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