wrest
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About Our Definitions: All forms of a word (noun, verb, etc.) are now displayed on one page.1wrest
transitive verb \ˈrest\Definition of WREST
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
Examples of WREST
- He tried to wrest control of the company from his uncle.
- <the boy wrested the book out of his sister's hands>
Origin of WREST
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
First Known Use: before 12th century
Related to WREST
- Synonyms
- corkscrew, prize, pry, pull, root (out), tear (out), uproot, extract, wring, yank
2wrest
nounDefinition of WREST
2
archaic : a key or wrench used for turning pins in a stringed instrument (as a piano)
First Known Use of WREST
14th century
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