Main Entry: ¹wrench

Pronunciation: \ˈrench\

Function: verb

Etymology: Middle English, from Old English wrencan; akin to Old High German renken to twist and perhaps to Latin vergere to bend, incline

Date: before 12th century

intransitive verb 1 : to move with a violent twist; also : to undergo twisting
2 : to pull or strain at something with violent twistingtransitive verb 1 : to twist violently
2 : to injure or disable by a violent twisting or straining <wrenched her back>
3 : change; especially : distort, pervert
4 a : to pull or tighten by violent twisting or with violence b : to snatch forcibly : wrest
5 : to cause to suffer mental anguish : rack

— wrench·ing·ly \ˈren-chiŋ-lē\ adverb