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