screw

²screw

verb

Definition of SCREW

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 with

intransitive 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

Examples of SCREW

1. I screwed the boards together.
2. The cupboards are screwed to the wall.
3. Screw the cap on tight.
4. Screw the light bulb into the fixture.
5. The lid screws onto the jar.
6. The light bulb screws right in.

First Known Use of SCREW

1605

Related to SCREW

Synonyms: deform, distort, misshape, contort, squinch, torture, warp

Related Words: deface, disfigure; wrench, wrest, wring; coil, curl, loop, spiral, twine, wind, wreathe

Near Antonyms: straighten, unbend, uncurl

see all synonyms and antonyms

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