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 verb1 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 pain2: intertwineintransitive verb1: to move or proceed with twists and turns <writhed to the music>2: to twist from or as if from pain or struggling3: to suffer keenly

— writhe noun