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 verb1 a: to unite by winding <twisting strands together> b: to make by twisting strands together <twist thread from yarn> c: to mingle by interlacing2: twine, coil3 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 verb1: to follow a winding course : snake2 a: to turn or change shape under torsion b: to assume a spiral shape c: squirm, writhe d: to dance the twist3of a ball : to rotate while taking a curving path or direction4: 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