Main Entry: ¹wrest

Pronunciation: \ˈrest\

Function: transitive verb

Etymology: Middle English wrasten, wresten, from Old English wrǣstan; akin to Old Norse reista to bend and probably to Old English wrigian to turn — more at wry

Date: before 12th century

1 : to pull, force, or move by violent wringing or twisting movements
2 : to gain with difficulty by or as if by force, violence, or determined labor