Main Entry: writhe

Pronunciation: \ˈrīth\

Function: verb

Inflected Form(s): writhed; writh·ing

Etymology: Middle English, from Old English wrīthan; akin to Old Norse rītha to twist

Date: before 12th century

transitive verb 1 a : to twist into coils or folds b : to twist so as to distort : wrench c : to twist (the body or a bodily part) in pain
2 : intertwineintransitive verb 1 : to move or proceed with twists and turns <writhed to the music>
2 : to twist from or as if from pain or struggling
3 : to suffer keenly

— writhe noun