wrench

The definition of a wrench is a tool with jaws used for holding, turning or twisting.

(noun)

An example of a wrench is what someone would use to loosen and unscrew a bolt.

Wrench is defined as to twist or jerk suddenly with force.

(verb)

An example of to wrench is stepping off a curb and twisting an ankle.

See wrench in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

Origin: ME < OE wrenc, a trick, deceit; akin to Ger ränke, a bend, twist < IE *wreng- < base *wer-, to twist, turn > worm

transitive verb

to twist, pull, or jerk suddenly and violently
to injure (a part of the body) with a twist or wrench
to distort, strain, or give a false interpretation of (a meaning, statement, etc.)

intransitive verb

to pull or tug (at something) with a wrenching movement

See wrench in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

A sudden sharp, forcible twist or turn.
An injury produced by twisting or straining.
A sudden tug at one's emotions; a surge of compassion, sorrow, or anguish.
a. A break or parting that causes emotional distress.
b. The pain so associated: felt a wrench when he was parted from his children.
A distortion in the original form or meaning of something written or spoken; twisted interpretation.
Any of various hand or power tools, often having fixed or adjustable jaws, used for gripping, turning, or twisting objects such as nuts, bolts, or pipes.

verb wrenched, wrench·ing, wrench·es

verb, transitive

a. To twist or turn suddenly and forcibly.
b. To twist and sprain: I wrenched my knee.
To move, extract, or force free by pulling violently; yank. See Synonyms at jerk¹.
To pull at the feelings or emotions of; distress: It wrenched her to watch them go.
To distort or twist the original character or import of: wrenched the text to prove her point.

verb, intransitive

To give a wrench, twist, or turn.

Origin:

Origin: From Middle English wrenchen, to twist

Origin: , from Old English wrencan; see wer-² in Indo-European roots

Related Forms: