transitive verb

1. to turn or twist; esp., to pull or force away violently with a twisting motion
2. to take or extract by force; usurp; extort; wring
3. to distort or change the true meaning, purpose, use, etc. of; pervert; twist

Etymology: ME wresten < OE wræstan, to twist violently, akin to ON reista < IE base *wer-, to turn, bend, twist > writhe

noun