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 axis2 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 : thread3: 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 threat5usually vulgar : to copulate withintransitive verb1: to rotate like or as a screw2: to turn or move with a twisting or writhing motion3usually vulgar : copulate

— screw·er noun