Main Entry: ¹twist

Pronunciation: \ˈtwist\

Function: verb

Etymology: Middle English, probably from Middle Dutch twisten, from twist twine, discord, quarrel; akin to Old English -twist (in candeltwist candlesnuffers, mæsttwist twin support for a mast), Middle English twisten to be forked, Middle High German zwist quarrel, Old English twi- twi-

Date: 15th century

transitive verb 1 a : to unite by winding <twisting strands together> b : to make by twisting strands together <twist thread from yarn> c : to mingle by interlacing
2 : twine, coil
3 a : to wring or wrench so as to dislocate or distort; especially : sprain <twisted my ankle> b : to alter the meaning of : distort, pervert <twisted the facts> c : contort <twisted his face into a grin> d : to pull off, turn, or break by torsion <twist the nut off the bolt> e : to cause to move with a turning motion <twisted her chair to face the fire> f : to form into a spiral shape g : to cause to take on moral, mental, or emotional deformity <celebrity has twisted their sense of decorum> h : to make (one's way) in a winding or devious manner to a destination or objectiveintransitive verb 1 : to follow a winding course : snake
2 a : to turn or change shape under torsion b : to assume a spiral shape c : squirm, writhe d : to dance the twist
3 of a ball : to rotate while taking a curving path or direction
4 : turn 3a <twisted around to see behind him>

— twist in the wind : to be left to face a difficult situation without support or help

— twist one's arm : to bring strong pressure to bear on one