wrench

wrench (renc̸h)

noun

Etymology: 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

A violent twist
jerk, strain, sprain, tug, pull, dislodgment, extrication, dislocation.
A tool
Kinds of wrenches include: monkey, single-head, double-head, pipe, Stillson, crescent, sparkplug, hubcap, flat, S-socket, connecting-rod, bearing, persuader*, knuckle-buster*, breakout*, old Maud*;

Converse of object

tap: I use a small pin vise to hold small taps, not a tap wrench.
throw: Jason, we don't need no wrench thrown into the works!
operate: All models are supplied in steel storage case or tray and are suitable for use with air impact guns and air operated ratchet wrenches.
use: Use the wrench or your fingers to remove the nuts.

Followed by an intransitive particle

off: Now, in my experience, things never exactly slide off anything, more like needing to be wrenched off with brute force.

Adjective modifier

allen: Using the allen wrench, turn the left adjustment bolt clockwise 1/4 of a turn.
adjustable: Useful as a portable small vise and adjustable wrench at a pinch.
huge: Databases are rather picky creatures; one key letter read wrong by the database creator can throw a huge monkey wrench into your search.
real: COMMENTS: With some classes it can be a real wrench saying goodbye at the end of a long course.
big: Especially if he had a big wrench, eh?
great: Many people have found it a lot easier to admire the abstract steel constructions which marked his greatest wrench from the past.

Modifying Another Word

apart: A few miles away, a family who have everything are wrenched apart by a tragic accident.
away: The mudguard snapped into two pieces, and all three fixing points were wrenched away, leaving three large tears.
heart: It was hard work, it was hot work, it was heart wrenching yet extremely rewarding.

Noun used with modifier

ratchet: All models are supplied in steel storage case or tray and are suitable for use with air impact guns and air operated ratchet wrenches.
torque: They even used a torque wrench to ensure my alloy wheel bolts were set correctly.
hex: A 4mm hex wrench will fit all bolts on the stems.
lug: I often carry a small pipe, which will fit over the lug wrench.
monkey: He loved to play villains who came onstage always at the worst moment, throwing a monkey wrench into the plot.
socket: Some various length extensions for the socket wrench are a godsend here.

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