Main Entry:

¹wres·tle

Pronunciation:

\ˈre-səl, ˈra-\

Function:

verb

Inflected Form(s):

wres·tled; wres·tling \ˈres-liŋ, ˈras-; ˈre-s^əl-iŋ, ˈra-\

Etymology:

Middle English wrastlen, wrestlen, from Old English wrǣstlian, frequentative of wrǣstan

Date:

before 12th century

intransitive verb1: to contend by grappling with and striving to trip or throw an opponent down or off balance2: to combat an opposing tendency or force <wrestling with his conscience>3: to engage in deep thought, consideration, or debate4: to engage in or as if in a violent or determined struggle <wrestling with cumbersome luggage>transitive verb1 a: to engage in (a match, bout, or fall) in wrestling b: to wrestle with <wrestle an alligator>2: to move, maneuver, or force with difficulty

— wres·tler \ˈres-lər, ˈras-; ˈre-s^əl-ər, ˈra-\ noun