Main Entry: ²screw

Function: verb

Date: 1605

transitive verb

1 a (1) : to attach, fasten, or close by means of a screw (2) : to unite or separate by means of a screw or a twisting motion (3) : to press tightly in a device (as a vise) operated by a screw (4) : to operate, tighten, or adjust by means of a screw (5) : to torture by means of a thumbscrew b : to cause to rotate spirally about an axis
2 a (1) : to twist into strained configurations : contort <screwed up his face> (2) : squint (3) : crumple b : to furnish with a spiral groove or ridge : thread
3 : to increase the intensity, quantity, or capability of <trying to screw up courage to confess — Will Scott>
4 a (1) : to mistreat or exploit through extortion, trickery, or unfair actions; especially : to deprive of or cheat out of something due or expected (2) : to treat so as to bring about injury or loss (as to a person's reputation) <use the available Federal machinery to screw our political enemies — J. W. Dean III> —often used as a generalized curse <screw you!> b : to extract by pressure or threat
5 usually vulgar : to copulate withintransitive verb 1 : to rotate like or as a screw
2 : to turn or move with a twisting or writhing motion
3 usually vulgar : copulate

— screw·er noun