wring Hear it!

wring definition

wring (riŋ)

transitive verb wrung or Rarewringed, wringing wring′·ing

    1. to squeeze, press, twist, or compress, esp. so as to force out water or other liquid
    2. to force out (water or other liquid) by this means, as from wet clothes: usually with out
  1. to clasp and twist (the hands) together as an expression of distress
  2. to clasp (another's hand) forcefully in greeting
  3. to wrench or twist forcibly
  4. to get or extract by force, threats, persistence, etc.; extort
  5. to afflict with anguish, distress, pity, etc. a story to wring one's heart

Etymology: ME wringen < OE wringan, to press, compress, strain, akin to Ger ringen, to struggle, wrestle < IE *wreng- < base *wer-, to turn, bend > worm

intransitive verb

to writhe, squirm, or twist with force or great effort

noun

the action of wringing or twisting

Comments


Do you have more to add? Sign in to share your linguistic knowledge or observation.

Connect with Facebook