† wrenchn.¹

Forms: α. Old English–Middle English wrenc; Middle English–1500s wrench, Middle English–1500s wrenche. β. 1500s wrinch(e, 1600s wringe.

Etymology: Old English wrenc , corresponding in form to Old High German renki twist, sprain (German ränke bend, hollow), and in sense to Middle High German and German rank bending, turning, trick, artifice. Compare wrenk n. and wrench v.

Obsolete.

1. A crooked, cunning, or wily action or device; a trick, wile, or artifice. Frequently coupled with wile.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > ability > skill or skilfulness > cunning > [noun] > a wile or cunning device

wrenchc888

craftOE

turnc1225

ginc1275

play?a1300

enginec1300

wrenkc1325

forsetc1330

sleightc1340

knackc1369

cautel138.

subtletya1393

wilea1400

tramc1400

wrinkle1402

artc1405

policy?1406

subtilityc1410

subtiltyc1440

jeopardy1487

jouk1513

pawka1522

frask1524

false point?1528

conveyance1534

compass1540

fineness1546

far-fetch?a1562

stratagem1561

finesse1562

entrapping1564

convoyance1578

lift1592

imagine1594

agitation1600

subtleship1614

artifice1620

navation1628

wimple1638

rig1640

lapwing stratagem1676

feint1679

undercraft1691

fly-flap1726

management1736

fakement1811

old tricka1822

fake1829

trickeration1940

swiftie1945

shrewdie1961

the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > deceit, deception, trickery > [noun] > a trick, deception

wrenchc888

swikec893

braida1000

craftOE

wile1154

crookc1175

trokingc1175

guile?c1225

hocket1276

blink1303

errorc1320

guileryc1330

sleightc1340

knackc1369

deceitc1380

japec1380

gaudc1386

syllogism1387

mazec1390

mowa1393

train?a1400

trantc1400

abusionc1405

creekc1405

trickc1412

trayc1430

lirtc1440

quaint?a1450

touch1481

pawka1522

false point?1528

practice1533

crink1534

flim-flamc1538

bobc1540

fetcha1547

abuse1551

block1553

wrinklec1555

far-fetch?a1562

blirre1570

slampant1577

ruse1581

forgery1582

crank1588

plait1589

crossbite1591

cozenage1592

lock1598

quiblin1605

foist1607

junt1608

firk1611

overreach?1615

fob1622

ludification1623

knick-knacka1625

flam1632

dodge1638

gimcrack1639

fourbe1654

juggle1664

strategy1672

jilt1683

disingenuity1691

fun1699

jugglementa1708

spring1753

shavie1767

rig?1775

deception1794

Yorkshire bite1795

fakement1811

fake1829

practical1833

deceptivity1843

tread-behind1844

fly1861

schlenter1864

Sinonism1864

racket1869

have1885

ficelle1890

wheeze1903

fast one1912

roughie1914

spun-yarn trick1916

fastie1931

phoney baloney1933

fake-out1955

okey-doke1964

mind-fuck1971

α.

c888 Ælfred tr. Boethius De Consol. Philos. iv. §1 Nauht ne deregað monnum mane aþas, ne þæt lease lot þe beoð mid þam wrencum bewrigen.

a1050 Liber Scintill. xxxvii. (1889) 136 On swa hwylcum wrence worda ænig swerige.

a1122 Anglo-Saxon Chron. (Laud) ann. 1003 Ða sceolde..Ælfric lædan þa fyrde ac he teah forð þa his ealdan wrenceas.

c1175 Lamb. Hom. 67 He fondede god solf mid his wrenche.

?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 197 Ach þis hechȝe sacrament..ouer alle oðer þing unwrið hise wrenches & brekeð hise strencðes.

a1250 Prov. Ælfred 163 Monymon weneþ þat he wene ne þarf, longes lyues, ac him lyeþ þe wrench.

1303 R. Mannyng Handlyng Synne 7711 He dredde hym of sum wykked wrenche.

1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. I. 347 At þe laste Turgesius deide by gileful wyles and wrenches.

14.. Sir Beues (E.) 2753 + 32 Þe dragoun cowde soo many a wrenche.

a1450 Medit. Life & Passion of Christ 1650 Þere ne shal..No wrenches ne no fendes wyle Make þat swetnesse away to gon.

1519 W. Horman Vulgaria ii. f. 23^v All those thynges were wroughte, by wrenches of wyked spyrittis.

1579 E. Hake Newes out of Powles Churchyarde newly Renued To Rdr. sig. A4 ^v The wrenches and wyles..that the lewde sorte of this people..doe vse to gette money with.

β. 1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 290/2 Wrinches or wyles, chariuaris.a1533 Ld. Berners tr. A. de Guevara Golden Bk. M. Aurelius (1546) sig. Aa.vij If we take not hede to prepare against his wrinches, it wyll ouerthrow vs.1547 tr. A. de Marcourt Bk. Marchauntes (new ed.) e ij God knoweth what wily wrinches..they do commit fro day to day.1632 W. Lithgow Totall Disc. Trav. i. 3 A Dame..Whose wringes, winks, whose curious smiles and words, And scraping feete, lost blandement affoords.

2. Without article: Trickery, deceit, guile; fraud.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > deceit, deception, trickery > [noun]

swikec893

swikedomc893

dwalec950

braida1000

falsec1000

flerdc1000

swikelnessa1023

fakenOE

chuffingc1175

fikenungc1175

bipechingc1200

treachery?c1225

falseshipc1230

guilec1230

telingc1230

swikeheada1250

craftc1275

felony1297

wrench1297

deceitc1300

gabc1300

guiling13..

guilery1303

quaintisec1325

wrenk1338

beswiking1340

falsehood1340

abetc1350

wissing1357

wilec1374

faitery1377

faiting1377

tregetryc1380

fallacec1384

trainc1390

coverture1393

facrere1393

ficklenessc1397

falsagea1400

tregeta1400

abusionc1405

blearingc1405

deceptionc1430

mean?c1430

tricotc1430

obreption1465

fallacy1481

japery1496

gauderya1529

fallax1530

conveyance1531

legerdemain1532

dole1538

trompe1547

joukery1562

convoyance1578

forgery1582

abetment1586

outreaching1587

chicanery1589

falsery1594

falsity1603

fubbery1604

renaldry1612

supercherie1621

circumduction1623

fobbinga1627

dice-play1633

beguile1637

fallaxitya1641

ingannation1646

hocus1652

renardism1661

dodgerya1670

knapping1671

trap1681

joukery-pawkery1686

jugglery1699

take-in1772

tripotage1779

trickery1801

ruse1807

dupery1816

nailing1819

pawkery1820

hanky-panky1841

hokey-pokey1847

suck-in1856

phenakisma1863

skulduggery1867

sharp practice1869

dodginess1871

jiggery-pokery1893

flim-flammery1898

runaround1915

hanky1924

to give the go-around1925

Scandiknavery1927

the twist1933

hype1955

mamaguy1971

1297 R. Gloucester's Chron. (Rolls) 2924 Of is luþer wrenche..Four hondred & four score mid treson he slou þere.

c1300 Beket (Percy Soc.) 44 He was stronge adrad ȝut of wommanes wrenche.

a1400 Seuyn Sages (W.) 438 She schette the dore, and set him on benche. Wil ye nou i-here of wommannes wrenche?

1566 T. Sternhold & J. Hopkins Whole Bk. Psalms xxvi. 10 Their right hand with wrenche and wile for bribes doth plucke and pull.

This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1928; most recently modified version published online September 2021).

wrenchn.²

Brit.

/rɛn(t)ʃ/, U.S.

/rɛn(t)ʃ/

Forms: Also Middle English wrynche, 1500s–1600s, dialect1800s wrinch (1800s dialect wringe, ringe); 1500s wren(t)che, 1800s Scottish wrunch, runch.

Etymology: Apparently not a continuation of the wrench n.¹, but directly based upon wrench v.

†1. on wrench, crosswise. Obsolete. rare.

ΘΚΠ

the world > space > relative position > fact or condition of being transverse > intersection > in a crossed position [phrase]

a crossa1400

on crossa1400

on wrench?c1460

?c1460 MS. Porkington 10 f. 58 (Halliwell) The vij. wyffe sat one the bynche, And sche caste her legge one wrynche.

a. An act of wrenching, or the fact of being wrenched; a twisting or pulling aside, awry, or out of shape; a violent twist or turn.

ΘΠ

the world > space > shape > misshapenness > [noun] > action or fact of putting or being out of shape > distortion > twisting and pulling

wrenching1398

wresting1398

wrench1530

convulsion1599

1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 290/2 Wrenche, torche.

1618 Bp. J. Hall Contempl. IV. O.T. xii. 16 Gods iudgements are the racke of godlesse men; If one straine make them not confesse, let them be stretched but one wrench hyer, and they cannot be silent.

1755 S. Johnson Dict. Eng. Lang. Wrench,..a violent pull or twist.

1771 A. Lonnergan Fencer's Guide 87 A Wrench is thus formed.

1771 A. Lonnergan Fencer's Guide 88 Retire a little upon the second wrench.

1836 C. Dickens Pickwick Papers (1837) xi. 105 The little stone having been raised with one wrench of a spade.

1855 E. C. Gaskell North & South I. xxii. 272 They all could hear..the creak of wood slowly yielding; the wrench of iron; the mighty fall of the ponderous gates.

1861 C. Reade Cloister & Hearth lii [She] gave a contemptuous wrench of her shoulder.

1893 M. Pemberton Iron Pirate iv [The yacht] jibbed round of a sudden, with an appalling wrench at the horse.

figurative and in figurative contexts.1533 T. More Apologye xxii. 128 The same reason wold..serue with one lytell wrenche ferther, to take in lyke wyse a waye from euery other man.a1616 W. Shakespeare Timon of Athens (1623) ii. ii. 205 A Noble Nature May catch a wrench . 1854 Baroness Bunsen in A. J. C. Hare Life & Lett. Baroness Bunsen (1879) II. 167 Quite conscious that it is a strong wrench that drags him out of so large a part of the habits of life.a1865 E. C. Gaskell Wives & Daughters (1866) I. xxi. 247 Then, with a wrench, changing the subject..he broke out [etc.].1878 R. Browning La Saisiaz 51 I shall..bless each kindly wrench that wrung From life's tree its inmost virtue.

b. A sudden or sharp twist or jerk causing pain or injury to a limb, person, etc.; a sprain, strain. Also in figurative context.

ΘΚΠ

the world > health and disease > ill health > a disease > diseases of tissue > disorders affecting muscles > [noun] > sprain or strain

wrench1530

strain1558

sprain1601

wrest1616

wramp1669

spraining1673

rax1790

rick1813

wrick1831

twist1864

stave1900

pull1923

1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 290/2 Wrenche out of joynt, deboytement, dejoincture.

1545 R. Ascham Toxophilus i. f. 15^v If he haue a wrentche, or haue taken colde in his arme.

1578 H. Wotton tr. J. Yver Courtlie Controuersie 28 If..a wrenche breake a bone without perishing the fleshe or skinne whiche couereth it.

1655 T. Fuller Church-hist. Brit. ii. 69 Every small Wrinch, or stepping awrie, is enough to put an ill-set Bone out of joynt.

1665 Earl of Orrery Coll. State Lett. (1742) 100 I have got such a wrench in my ancle.

1748 B. Robins & R. Walter Voy. round World by Anson ii. ix. 226 He was thereby haled into the ship, without..any other injury than a wrench in his arm.

1802 W. Paley Nat. Theol. viii. 125 The contortions and wrenches to which the limbs of animals are continually subject.

1860 J. Tyndall Glaciers of Alps i. xix. 134 They compelled the arms to take a position which, if the footing gave way, would necessitate a wrench.

1879 G. Meredith Egoist iv She quietly gave a wrench to the neck of the young hope in her breast.

c. An instance of this in horses; also with the, as the specific name of an ailment.

ΘΚΠ

the world > health and disease > ill health > animal disease or disorder > disorders of horses > [noun] > other disorders of horses

trench?a1450

colt-evilc1460

affreyd?1523

cholera1566

crick1566

incording1566

leprosy1566

taint1566

eyesore1576

fistula1576

wrench1578

birth1600

garrot1600

stithy1600

stifling1601

stranglings1601

hungry evil1607

pose1607

crest-fall1609

pompardy1627

felteric1639

quick-scab1639

shingles1639

clap1684

sudden taking1688

bunches1706

flanks1706

strangles1706

chest-founderingc1720

body-founder1737

influenza1792

foundering1802

horse-sickness1822

stag-evil1823

strangullion1830

shivering1847

dourine1864

swamp fever1870

African horse sickness1874

horse-pox1884

African horse disease1888

wind-stroke1890

thump1891

leucoencephalitis1909

western equine encephalitis1933

stachybotryotoxicosis1945

rhinopneumonitis1957

1578 H. Wotton tr. J. Yver Courtlie Controuersie 301 Claribel supposing it hadde bin some wrench, commaunded his man to bathe the horse leg.

1580 T. Blundeville Foure Offices Horsemanship (rev. ed.) 59 The Curbe..commeth..by some straine or wrinch wherebie the tender sinewes are grieued.

1627 J. Taylor Armado sig. C6^v The shedding of the haire, the Horse-hipped, the Wrench, the Necke-cricke.

1639 T. de Gray Compl. Horseman ii. xviii. 306 A Horse that hath gotten a wrench in his shoulder.

1695 London Gaz. No. 3105/4 A dark brown gelding,..goes wadling behind, as if he had a Wrench in his Back.

1727 N. Bailey Universal Etymol. Eng. Dict. II Entorses, Wrenches of the Pasterns in Horses.

d. figurative. A parting or separation causing painful or violent emotion; pain or anguish resulting from leave-taking.In frequent use from c1875.

ΘΠ

the mind > emotion > suffering > mental anguish or torment > [noun] > anguish caused by parting

convulsion1688

wrench1849

the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > going away > [noun] > parting from one another > painful or emotional

wrench1849

1849 F. W. Robertson Serm. (1855) 1st Ser. xii. 202 The misery of the wrench from all that is dear and bright.

1874 J. R. Green Short Hist. Eng. People viii. §4. 493 It was not without a wrench that they tore themselves from their English homes.

1889 ‘J. S. Winter’ Mrs. Bob x Now that it had come to parting with the last of them [sc. daughters] it was an undeniable wrench.

e. Mathematical Physics. (See first quot.)

ΚΠ

1876 R. S. Ball Theory of Screws 4 We now introduce the word wrench, to denote a force and a couple in a plane perpendicular to the force.

1876 R. S. Ball Theory of Screws 5 These wrenches could be replaced by one wrench which is called the resultant wrench.

†3.

a. A sharp turn, bend, or deflection; an abrupt turning movement. Obsolete. rare.

ΘΚΠ

the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > change of direction of movement > [noun]

wentc1374

turning1426

turnagain1545

wrench1549

yaw1597

veer1611

veering1611

version1625

wheelinga1660

sway1818

whiffle1842

twizzle1848

split-turn1932

1549 M. Coverdale et al. tr. Erasmus Paraphr. Newe Test. (new ed.) II. Rom. Argt. sig. iiii^v The reader wandering vppe and downe, as it wer in wrenches, or..in a mismase diuersly tournyng and wyndyng.

1596 J. Davies Orchestra liii. sig. B3^v I loue Mæanders path,..Such winding sleights, such turnes and tricks he hath, Such Creekes, such wrenches, and such daliaunce.

figurative.1650 I. Ambrose Ultima 205 Austin after some turns and wrenches concludeth thus.

b. Coursing. A turning or bringing round of the hare or rabbit at less than a right angle.

ΘΚΠ

the world > food and drink > hunting > hunting with hounds > work done by hounds > [noun] > actions in coursing

cote1575

counter1575

go-by1615

wrench1615

trip1856

1615 G. Markham Countrey Contentments i. viii. 105 That Dogge which giueth the first turne, if after the turnes be giuen and neither coat, slip, nor wrench extraordinary, then he [etc.].

1686 R. Blome Gentlemans Recreation ii. 98/1 Sometimes the Hare doth not Turn, but Wrench; for she is not properly said to Turn, except she Turn as it were round, and two Wrenches stand for a Turn.

1688 R. Holme Acad. Armory ii. ix. 189/1 A Wrench, is not a turn, but as it were, a half turn.

1840 D. P. Blaine Encycl. Rural Sports 598/1 A cote is when..one [dog] outruns the other, and gives the hare a turn or wrench.

1856 ‘Stonehenge’ Man. Brit. Rural Sports 212/1 Working Power is evinced by the Wrench and the Turn.

1887 Field 19 Feb. 235/3 The brindled [greyhound] eventually finishing the course with a couple of wrenches and a kill.

4. Change from the original purport or signification; a strained or wrested meaning; a forced or false interpretation. (Cf. wrest n.¹ 3.)

ΘΠ

the mind > mental capacity > intelligibility > misinterpretation > distortion or perversion of meaning > [noun]

wrestingc1444

pervertinga1450

corruptiona1513

straining1528

writhing?1532

hacking1539

violence1546

racking1556

wrying1562

wringing1565

detorting1579

wrest1581

detortion1598

wrench1603

torture1605

distorting1610

violencing1612

refraction1614

misacception1629

distortion1650

distorture1709

misacceptation1721

torturing1753

verbicide1826

stretch1849

twisting1890

queeringness1955

the mind > mental capacity > intelligibility > misinterpretation > distortion or perversion of meaning > [noun] > instance of

violence1546

wresting1551

wreathing1556

strain1579

wrest1581

mis-sense1615

by-signification1651

extortion1652

corruption1699

wrench1701

by-sense1782

corruptibility1847

torturing1855

twist1862

1603 J. Davies Microcosmos 135 If there be wrench in this Paralell, It is in that [etc.].

1701 J. Strype Hist. Coll. J. Aylmer 265 Whence..the Popish Bishops might see their Wrenches and Cavillations..to be maintained thereby.

1864 J. R. Lowell Black Preacher 11 But since I might chance give his meaning a wrench,..I'll put what he told me..In a rhymed prose.

a. One or other form of mechanical screw.

ΘΚΠ

society > occupation and work > equipment > building and constructing equipment > fastenings > [noun] > screw > other types of screw

wrench1552

needle screw1663

female screw1667

stop-screw1680

male screw1682

wood-screw1733

right and left handed screw1738

screw eye1787

claw-screw1795

screw shaft1818

union joint1819

union screw1820

right-and-left screw1821

binding-screw1828

coach screw1874

lag bolt1893

grub-screw1903

Allen screw1910

multithread1921

self-tapper1949

1552 Acts Hen. VIII 40 The Bier [= buyer]..shall not..straine..the same clothes..by teintour or wrinche [1514 wynche].

1598 J. Florio Worlde of Wordes Storta,..a wrench or wrest that ioyners vse.

1600 F. Pretty in R. Hakluyt Princ. Navigations (new ed.) III. 810 Hee was faine to cause them to bee tormented with their thumbes in a wrinch.

1618 M. Dalton Countrey Justice 34 Any teynters, wrinches or other engines whatsoeuer, wherby any deceipt may be vsed in..the stretching of any wollen Cloth.

1692 J. P. New Guide Constables 33 Tenters,..Headwrinches, or other Engines for stretching of Cloth.]

1825 J. Jamieson Etymol. Dict. Sc. Lang. Suppl. Wrunch, a winch or windlace.

†b. figurative. A means of compulsion or constraint. Obsolete. rare.

ΘΚΠ

society > authority > subjection > obedience > compulsion > [noun] > agency or means of

compulsorya1513

screw1618

wrench1622

compulsive1638

coercitive1651

coercive1651

enforcive1686

persuader1788

steamroller1896

1622 F. Bacon Hist. Raigne Henry VII 90 He.. resolued to make this profit of this businesse..as a Wrench and meane for Peace.

c. A tool or implement of various forms, consisting essentially of a metal bar with (frequently adjustable) jaws adapted for catching or gripping a bolt-head, nut, etc., to turn it; a screw-key, screw-wrench, or spanner.Also bed-, monkey-, pipe-, screw-, tap-, tube-wrench: see those words.

ΘΠ

society > occupation and work > equipment > screwdrivers, wrenches, spanners > [noun] > spanner or wrench

turn-bolt1596

wrenching-iron1597

key1659

screw key1742

spanner1790

screw wrench1791

wrench1794

screw spanner1831

wrencher1832

1794 W. Felton Treat. Carriages I. 94 A spindle that is turned with a wrench upon the outside.

1794 W. Felton Treat. Carriages I. 231 Tool budget..[for carrying] the few requisites for the coachman's use; such as a wrench, a hammer, a chissel.

1834 F. Marryat Peter Simple II. ii. 33 We worked very hard until the hole was large enough, using the crow-bar..and a little wrench.

1862 Catal. Internat. Exhib., Brit. II. No. 6111 Patent wrench and mallet to save all taps from damage.

1879 Cassell's Techn. Educator (new ed.) IV. 199/2 The wrench or spanner..is used for fastening the headstock or poppet down on the bed.

d. Surgery. Applied to various makes of instruments having adjustable jaws, spec. for gripping a deformed foot to be rectified by torsion.

ΘΚΠ

the world > health and disease > healing > medical appliances or equipment > other surgical equipment > [noun] > instruments for correcting displacements > of the root

wrench1895

1895 Catal. Surg. Instruments (Arnold & Sons) 774 Wrenches for bending Thomas's Splints.

1896 A. H. Tubby Deformities 416 Some wrenches are formidable and powerful instruments.

1896 A. H. Tubby Deformities 418 Holding the foot in the bite of the wrench too long.

Compounds

C1. attributive and in other combinations, as wrench finisher, wrench forger; wrench hammer, wrench handle.

1875 E. H. Knight Amer. Mech. Dict. III. 2822/1 Wrench-hammer, a hammer having a movable member to form a spanner.

1880 R. D. Blackmore Mary Anerley III. xix. 268 Mr. Mordacks..holding him, as in a wrench-hammer, all the way, silencing his squeaks, with another turn of screw.

?1881 Census Eng. & Wales: Instr. Clerks classifying Occupations & Ages (?1885) 44 Wrench Finisher and Forger.

a1884 E. H. Knight Pract. Dict. Mech. Suppl. 957/1 Wrench Handle, a double-arm wrench for use with dies for cutting threads, and other purposes.

C2.

wrench fault n. Geology = strike-slip fault at strike n.¹ Compounds 2.

ΘΚΠ

the world > the earth > structure of the earth > structural features > discontinuity or unconformity > [noun] > fault > other types of fault

heave1802

reversed fault1852

reverse fault1865

step-fault1879

ring fracture1881

overfault1883

overlap fault1883

overthrust1883

trough fault1883

thrust1888

thrust-fault1889

offset1897

cross-fault1900

tear-fault1900

distributive fault1904

cross-break1909

slide1910

strike-slip fault1913

rift1921

splay fault1942

wrench fault1951

megashear1954

transform fault1965

transform1971

1951 E. M. Anderson Dynamics of Faulting & Dyke Formation (ed. 2) i. 2 The term ‘Blatt’ will be translated as wrench fault.

1977 A. Hallam Planet Earth 61/1 Major wrench faults (e.g., the Great Glen Fault of Scotland) exhibit displacements of 100km..or more.

This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1928; most recently modified version published online March 2022).

wrenchv.

Brit.

/rɛn(t)ʃ/, U.S.

/rɛn(t)ʃ/

Forms: α. Old English wrencan, Middle English wrenchen, Middle English, 1500s wrenche, Middle English– wrench, 1500s wrensh (1600s–1700s rench, 1700s archaic wranch). β. Middle English wrynch, Middle English wrynche, 1500s wrinche, 1500s–1600s wrinch.

Etymology: Old English wrencan to twist, turn (also figurative to practise wiles), = Old High German renchan (Middle High German and German renken ) to twist; of obscure relationship. Compare wrenk v.

I. intransitive.

†1.

a. To perform or undergo a quick or forcible turning or twisting motion; to turn or writhe (about or aside). Also figurative. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > movement > motion in specific manner > writhing or twisting movement > writhe or twist [verb (intransitive)]

wendOE

throwOE

to-writhec1000

windc1000

wrenchc1050

writhec1300

wrenka1400

wrestle?a1400

chervec1440

wring1470

wrele1513

wriggle1573

wrincha1625

curla1637

twingle1647

twine1666

twirl1706

retort1720

α.

c1050 Monasteriales Indicia (MS. Cott. Tib. A iii) f. 97 Is þæs horderes tacen, þæt mon wrænce mid is hande, swilce he wille loc hunlucan.

c1200 Trin. Coll. Hom. 211 At pleȝe..þih and shonkes and fet oppieð, wombe gosshieð, and shuldres wrenchieð.

a1240 Wohunge in Old Eng. Hom. I. 281 Hu þu was naket bunden faste to þe piler, þat tu ne mihtes now~hwider wrenche fra þa duntes.

1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. VII. 538 Anoon his knyȝtes come to Venus to have the ryng, but heo wrenchide [MS. α. wrynchede] and blenchide and strof longe tyme, but [etc.].

a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Fairf. 14) l. 19353 Þan be-gan þai wrenche [Gött. wrinck, Vesp. wrenk] & wraist, & for tene þaire teþ to gnaiste.

c1500 New Notbr. Mayd 152 in W. C. Hazlitt Remains Early Pop. Poetry Eng. III. 7 To fulfyll His wanton wyll, Wrenchynge from me alway.

c1530 Bible (Tyndale) Num. xxii. 25 The asse..wrenshed vnto the walle and thrust Balams fote vnto the wall.

1605 J. Sylvester tr. G. de S. Du Bartas Deuine Weekes & Wks. i. v. 153 This Torpedo..Doth not as other Fish, that wrench and wriggle, When they be prickt.

1625 R. Montagu Appello Cæsarem 319 Setting some rigorous Puritans aside, that like no Religion but one of their owne making,..there are few Calvinists..that will wrench at this.

1716 J. Gay Trivia iii. 61 Should thy shoe wrench aside, down, down you fall.

β. c1340 R. Rolle Pricke of Conscience 1538 Some gase wrynchand to and fra, And some gas hypand.1509 S. Hawes Pastime of Pleasure (1845) xviii. 84 I can not wrynche by no wyle nor croke, My heart is fast upon so sure a hoke.a1632 T. Taylor God's Judgem. (1642) i. i. xxii. 84 A charet.., wherein were certain yron-works, which with wrinching about gave an horrible sound.a1641 R. Montagu Acts & Monuments (1642) 497 Rather then goe to law, to sit down by losse; and without wrinching forgo what was his due.

†b. Fencing. (See quots. and cf. whirl v. 3.)

ΘΚΠ

society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > fighting sports > fencing > fence [verb (intransitive)]

playeOE

skirmisha1387

to play at bucklersa1500

swash1556

fencea1616

tilt1699

wrench1771

society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > fighting sports > fencing > fence [verb (intransitive)] > actions

traversea1470

to hold one's handa1500

flourish1552

lock1579

to come in1594

retire1594

pass1595

recover1600

redouble1640

allonge1652

caveat1652

parry1671

disengage1684

overlap1692

volt1692

tierce1765

whip1771

wrench1771

lunge1809

salute1809

riposte1823

cut1833

quart1833

repost1848

remise1889

1771 A. Lonnergan Fencer's Guide Index Wrenching, is to disarm, by whirling off your adversary's blade, without setting any bounds to it, or whirling to any certain parade.

1771 A. Lonnergan Fencer's Guide 88 When you parry with a Prime, wrench round into a Tierce.

2. Coursing. Of a hare, etc.: to veer or come round at less than a right angle; to rick.

ΘΚΠ

the world > food and drink > hunting > hunting with hounds > work done by hounds > action of hounds [verb (intransitive)] > other actions of hounds

to be at bayc1515

blemish1575

to give the hare a turn1575

wrench1686

lurch1824

meuse1827

stream1849

smeuse1851

water1855

to run into shot1884

1686 R. Blome Gentlemans Recreation ii. 98/1 Sometimes the Hare doth not Turn, but Wrench; for she is not properly said to Turn, except she Turn as it were round, and two Wrenches stand for a Turn.

1753 Chambers's Cycl. Suppl. at Coursing If the hare turns not quite about, she only wrencheth, in the sportsman's phrase.

1839 Laws of Coursing in Youatt Dog (1845) 261 If a dog draws the fleck from the hare, and causes her to wrench or rick only.

II. transitive.

a. To twist or turn (a thing) forcibly or with effort; to jerk or pull with a violent twist; = wrest v. 1. Also with adverbs, as about, round.

ΘΚΠ

the world > movement > motion in specific manner > writhing or twisting movement > writhe or twist [verb (transitive)]

wresta1000

throwOE

twingec1000

wringc1000

wrench?c1225

writhec1400

wreathec1425

wryc1460

screw1600

twist1769

?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 165 Ich wulle..wrenchen hire þiderwart as ha mest dreieð.

?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 157 Summe iuglurs beoð þet ne cunne seruin of nan oðer gleo. buten makien cheres. wrenchen þe muð mis.

1545 R. Ascham Toxophilus ii. f. 30^v Some will take theyr bowe and writhe & wrinche it.

1578 H. Lyte tr. R. Dodoens Niewe Herball 41 Small seedes, whiche be as they were wrenched or writhen about.

1590 Tarltons Newes out of Purgatorie 22 Though shee coulde not treade right, yet wrincht her shooe inward.

1600 R. Surflet tr. C. Estienne & J. Liébault Maison Rustique iii. xi. 444 The wood of such great plants, doth pinch and wrinche the graft mightily.

1674 R. Hooke Animadversions Machina Cœlestis 52 This Plate..must be wrenched or wreithed, so that the Plain thereof must stand parallel to the Plain of the Index-Frame.

1718 F. Hutchinson Hist. Ess. conc. Witchcraft viii. 114 One [cart carrying corn] wrench'd Amy Duny's House, upon which she came out in a Rage.

1819 W. Scott Legend of Montrose v, in Tales of my Landlord 3rd Ser. IV. 105 If you venture to call for assistance, I will wrench round your neck.

1825 W. Scott Talisman xv, in Tales Crusaders IV. 352 Each strange and disproportioned feature wrenched by horror into still more extravagant ugliness.

1839 R. I. Murchison Silurian Syst. i. xxxi. 422 The limestone of the principal branch is suddenly wrenched round.

1863 B. Taylor Poets Jrnl. iii. Watch of Night 7 Blow, winds..And wrench the trees forlorn That struggle where they stand.

1876 A. C. Swinburne Erechtheus 588 All her flower of body,..With the might of the wind's wrath wrenched and torn.

b. To tighten with or as with a wrest or wrench; †to tune (a harp, etc.) in this way. Also with up.

ΘΚΠ

the world > matter > constitution of matter > hardness > types of hardness > [verb (transitive)] > make taut

stretcha1387

bracec1440

wrench1577

span1598

tend1646

span1650

screw1657

tauten1777

tensify1869

tense1884

tension1891

society > leisure > the arts > music > musical sound > pitch > tuning or intonation > tune [verb (transitive)] > tune strings

wresta1000

straina1387

string1530

to set down1565

wrench1577

to wind up1608

wind1612

to screw up1625

to set up1643

screw1657

the world > relative properties > wholeness > mutual relation of parts to whole > fastening > condition of being fast bound or firmly fixed > make fast [verb (transitive)] > tighten (bands, cords, knots, nuts) > (as) with a wrest or wrench

wrench1875

1577 J. Grange Golden Aphroditis sig. Hiij^v Orpheus with thy Harpe in hande, Arion also.., Wrinche vp your strings.

1577 J. Grange Golden Aphroditis sig. M ij b Playing..vppon their Harpes, wrinched and set to the highest note of Diatesseron.

1875 E. H. Knight Amer. Mech. Dict. III. 2253/1 The eye [of the spanner] is caught over the stud on the collar, so as to wrench it fast.

figurative.a1616 W. Shakespeare Coriolanus (1623) i. ix. 11 For thy Reuenge Wrench vp thy power to th'highest.

†4. figurative.

a. To draw or turn (a person) aside; to force out of the right way. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > change of direction of movement > change direction of movement of [verb (transitive)] > cause to deviate from course

charec1000

wrencha1200

turnc1275

to turn againc1330

swerve1390

wrya1400

reflectc1425

traverse1438

to turn aside1535

deduce1541

divert1548

to turn off1573

wrig1582

react1599

deflect1615

slent1639

decline1646

deviate1660

to wind off1677

sway1678

warp1814

switch1861

baffle1883

a1200 St. Marher. 4 Þæt tu ne maht nanes weies..wenden me ne wrenchen ut of þe weie.

a1225 Leg. Kath. 124 Nes þer nan þet mahte neauer eanes wrenchen hire..ut of þe weie.

c1230 Hali Meid. 47 Ihesu crist..leue swa hare heorte halden to him, þat hare flesches eggunge..ne weorri hare heorte wit, ne wrenche ham ut of þe wei þat ha beoð in gongen.

†b. To draw out or expel (temptations); to withdraw or shelter (oneself); to divert or deflect towards another. (Cf. wrenk v. 2) Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > refuge or shelter > seek (refuge) [verb (transitive)] > shelter

wrench?c1225

covera1275

herda1300

lown1487

scug1513

subumber1543

becalm1559

embower1580

ensconce1594

sconce1598

screen1611

burrow1657

lew1664

embosom1685

the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > going or coming out > letting or sending out > let or send out [verb (transitive)] > expel > specific immaterial things

wrench?c1225

outrage?a1439

express1547

expectorate1621

devolve1654

?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 224 Ȝef þu seist þet unstrengðe ne machte naut elles. þu wrenchest þisunne ogod.

?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 217 Þet þu ne macht þis schelt holden on þin heorte ne wrenchen hire þer under fromwart þe deofles arewen.

?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 179 Þulliche þochtes ofte inflesliche saulen wrencheð ut sonre flesliche fondunges þen summe of þe arre.

†c. To misrepresent or slander (a person).

ΘΚΠ

the mind > attention and judgement > contempt > disrepute > damage to reputation > slander or calumny > slander or calumniate [verb (transitive)]

to say or speak shame of, on, byc950

teleeOE

sayOE

to speak evil (Old English be) ofc1000

belie?c1225

betell?c1225

missayc1225

skandera1300

disclanderc1300

wrenchc1300

bewrayc1330

bite1330

gothele1340

slanderc1340

deprave1362

hinderc1375

backbite1382

blasphemec1386

afamec1390

fame1393

to blow up?a1400

defamea1400

noise1425

to say well (also evil, ill, etc.) of (also by)1445

malignc1450

to speak villainy of1470

infame1483

injury1484

painta1522

malicea1526

denigrate1526

disfamea1533

misreporta1535

sugill?1539

dishonest?c1550

calumniate1554

scandalize1566

ill1577

blaze1579

traduce1581

misspeak1582

blot1583

abuse1592

wronga1596

infamonize1598

vilify1598

injure?a1600

forspeak1601

libel1602

infamize1605

belibel1606

calumnize1606

besquirt1611

colly1615

scandala1616

bedirt1622

soil1641

disfigurea1643

sycophant1642

spatter1645

sugillate1647

bespattera1652

bedung1655

asperse1656

mischieve1656

opprobriatea1657

reflect1661

dehonestate1663

carbonify1792

defamate1810

mouth1810

foul-mouth1822

lynch1836

rot1890

calumny1895

ding1903

bad-talk1938

norate1938

bad-mouth1941

monster1967

c1300 Pol. Songs (Camden) 157 Ȝef y am wreint in heore write, Thenne am y bac-bite.

a. To injure or pain (a person, the limbs, etc.) by undue straining or stretching; to rick, sprain, strain.

ΘΚΠ

the world > health and disease > ill health > a disease > diseases of tissue > disorders affecting muscles > affect with muscular disorder [verb (transitive)] > sprain or strain

wrench1530

wrestc1550

strain1612

sprain1622

wrincha1625

rick1638

subluxate1743

turn1758

throw1790

wramp1808

vert1883

stave1887

crink1888

wrick1904

pull1908

α.

1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 785/1 I wrenche my foote, or any lymme, I put it out of joynt.

1578 H. Lyte tr. R. Dodoens Niewe Herball 235 A playster..upon places that be out of ioynt or wrenched.

1611 J. Florio Queen Anna's New World of Words Storcersi le membra, to straine or wrench ones limmes out of ioint.

1638 W. Lisle tr. Heliodorus Hist. viii. 141 Bagoas..with a fall Had wrench'd his leg.

1745 J. Swift Direct. to Servants 4 You wrencht your Foot against a Stone, and were forced to stay.

1835 T. Mitchell in tr. Aristophanes Acharnians 1064 (note) To wrench the ankle.

1854 W. M. Thackeray Newcomes I. xxii. 210 He..came down on the pavement and wrenched his leg.

figurative.1642 T. Fuller Holy State iii. xix. 204 Would it not have wrench'd and spraind his soul..?β. 1578 H. Wotton tr. J. Yver Courtlie Controuersie 259 By wrinching their foote in drawing on their hose.1578 M. Jennings tr. E. de Maisonneufve Gerileon of Englande i. f. 54^v His fistes..so were wrinched that he felt them not.1607 E. Topsell Hist. Foure-footed Beastes 78 If an oxe be wrinched and strayned in his sinnewes.1684 J. Smith Profit & Pleasure United 204 Leg out of Joynt or Wrinched.

b. To affect with severe pain, suffering, or anguish; to distress or pain greatly; to rack.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > emotion > suffering > mental anguish or torment > cause of mental anguish or torment > cause anguish to or torment [verb (transitive)]

quelmeOE

eatc1000

martyrOE

fretc1175

woundc1175

to-fret?c1225

gnawc1230

to-traya1250

torment1297

renda1333

anguish1340

grindc1350

wringc1374

debreakc1384

ofpinec1390

rivea1400

urn1488

reboil1528

whip1530

cruciate1532

pinch1548

spur-galla1555

agonize1570

rack1576

cut1582

excruciate1590

scorchc1595

discruciate1596

butcher1597

split1597

torture1598

lacerate1600

harrow1603

hell1614

to eat upa1616

arrow1628

martyrize1652

percruciate1656

tear1666

crucify1702

flay1782

wrench1798

kill1800

to cut up1843

1798 S. T. Coleridge Anc. Marinere vii, in W. Wordsworth & S. T. Coleridge Lyrical Ballads 48 Forthwith this frame of mine was wrench'd With a woeful agony.

1814 W. Wordsworth Excursion vii. 349 Through the space Of twelve ensuing days his frame was wrenched .

1822 P. B. Shelley Hellas 23 A spirit not my own wrench'd me within.

in extended use.a1807 W. Wordsworth Prelude (1959) v. 138 Should earth by inward throes be wrench'd throughout.

6. To pull or draw with a wrench or twist; to twist or wrest out; to force, turn, etc., by a twisting movement:

a. With prepositions, as from, into, out of, to.

ΘΚΠ

the world > space > direction > direct [verb (transitive)] > change the direction of

wrya1400

divert1548

wrench1582

break1600

deflect1615

deviate1660

wrest1759

sidetrack1887

the world > movement > impelling or driving > pushing and pulling > push and pull [verb (transitive)] > pull > with a twisting movement

wrest1297

winda1513

wrench1582

the world > movement > impelling or driving > pushing and pulling > push and pull [verb (intransitive)] > pull > with a twisting movement

windc1400

wrench1697

1582 R. Stanyhurst tr. Virgil First Foure Bookes Æneis iii. 46 Swiftlye they determind..too wrinche thee nauye too southward.

a1616 W. Shakespeare Othello (1623) v. ii. 294 Wrench [1622 Wring] his Sword from him.

1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Æneis xii, in tr. Virgil Wks. 594 Turnus..Wrench'd from his feeble hold the shining Sword.

1730 J. Thomson Winter in Seasons 209 When Justice..Wrench'd from their hand Oppression's iron rod.

1748 B. Robins & R. Walter Voy. round World by Anson ii. vi. 201 Seizing his pistol, [he] wrenched it out of his hand.

1820 P. B. Shelley Prometheus Unbound i. i. 21 To wrench the rivets from my quivering wounds.

1882 B. D. W. Ramsay Recoll. Mil. Serv. I. i. 25 We wrenched out of the wall an iron hook.

figurative and in figurative context.1608 W. Shakespeare King Lear iv. 262 O most small fault,..that like an engine wrencht my frame of nature from the fixt place. a1616 W. Shakespeare Measure for Measure (1623) ii. iv. 14 How often dost thou..Wrench awe from fooles? 1790 R. Burns Poems & Songs (1968) II. 544 Bruce..Wrench'd his dear country from the jaws of Ruin.1820 W. Hazlitt Lect. Dramatic Lit. 13 Nor could he [sc. Shakspere] have been wrenched from his place in the edifice..without equal injury to himself and it.1851 N. Hawthorne House of Seven Gables xvi. 259 To wrench it [sc. a fixed opinion] out of their minds.1879 J. McCarthy Hist. our Own Times III. xlii. 283 His gift was that which wrenches success out of the very jaws of failure.reflexive.1834 F. B. Head Bubbles from Brunnen 129 As if the corpse..had wrenched himself once again into daylight.

b. With adverbs, as away, off, out, outward, up; asunder, open.

ΘΚΠ

the world > space > relative position > condition of being open or not closed > open [verb (transitive)] > force or wrench open

unspurna1300

upbreak1382

to strike up1467

to break open1594

wrench1607

force1623

spring1825

the world > space > place > removal or displacement > extraction > extract [verb (transitive)] > twist out or up

to wring outc1420

to wring upc1440

wrestc1450

outtwinea1500

throwa1500

outwrest1590

twine1600

screw1611

to ply out1668

wrench1726

1607 E. Topsell Hist. Foure-footed Beastes 364 Staying the midst of your toole vpon the horses neather iaw, wrinch the tooth outward.

1609 W. Shakespeare Pericles xii. 54 2.Gent. T'is like a Coffin... Cer. Wrench it open soft.

1639 G. Plattes Discov. Infinite Treasure xii. 84 In a quarter of an houre the whole bush is wrenched up by the rootes.

1726 J. Swift Gulliver I. i. i. 8 I had the fortune to..wrench out the Pegs.

1796 J. Boys Gen. View Agric. Kent (new ed.) 120 A hop-dog, to wrench up the poles.

a1822 P. B. Shelley Peter Bell III i, in Poet. Wks. (?1840) 238/2 As he was speaking came a spasm, And wrenched his gnashing teeth asunder.

1825 J. Neal Brother Jonathan I. 251 He went up to the door, wrenched off the fastenings.

1863 ‘G. Eliot’ Romola II. iv. 42 Like a harp of which all the strings had been wrenched away except one.

1884 Manch. Examiner 11 Oct. 5/1 They wrench off cupboard doors to spare themselves the trouble of closing them.

figurative.1821 W. Hazlitt Winterslow (1850) x. 174 The revolutionary wheel which has of late wrenched men's understandings almost asunder.1848 E. C. Gaskell Mary Barton I. x. 177 Wrenching up her natural feelings of home.1868 Ld. Tennyson Lucretius 218 It seems some unseen monster lays His..filthy hands upon my will, Wrenching it backward into his.reflexive.1864 C. Dickens Our Mutual Friend (1865) I. i. i. 4 What he had in tow..sometimes seemed to try to wrench itself away.absol. (for refl.)1912 P. A. Talbot In Shadow of Bush xxv. 277 At sight of us she wrenched free.

c. Without const. Also figurative.

ΚΠ

1655 H. Vaughan Silex Scintillans (ed. 2) ii. 12 Desire that never will be quench'd, Nor can be writh'd, nor wrench'd.

1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Æneis x, in tr. Virgil Wks. 536 To wrench the Darts which in his Buckler light.

1714 ‘N. Ironside’ Orig. Canto Spencer xx. 17 Those honest Hounds..Striving..to wranch the Chain, Which did her tender Limbs to th' Rock upty.

1879 R. Bridges Poems vi. 22 The lazy cows wrench many a scented flower.

d. To seize or take forcibly; = wrest v. 4.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > possession > taking > seizing > seize [verb (transitive)] > with violence or forcibly

reaveeOE

latchc950

seize1338

rape?1387

wrestc1426

extort1529

redeema1578

wreathe1590

force1602

extend1610

wrencha1616

a1616 W. Shakespeare Macbeth (1623) iii. i. 64 They..put a barren Scepter in my Gripe, Thence to be wrencht with an vnlineall Hand.

1796 R. Southey Joan of Arc v. 474 If the iron rod Should one day from Oppression's hand be wrench'd By everlasting Justice!

1810 W. Scott Lady of Lake v. 198 Wrenching from ruin'd lowland swain His herds and harvest.

1832 H. Martineau Ireland vi. 92 Those from whose hands he had wrenched the means of subsistence.

1851 ‘L. Mariotti’ Italy in 1848 13 To wrench from the reluctant hands of diplomacy exceptional modifications of those fatal treaties.

1868 E. Edwards Life Sir W. Ralegh I. ix. 143 Spoils had been wrenched from Spain such as hitherto were almost unexampled.

e. To deprive (a person) of something by wrenching or wresting.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > possession > loss > taking away > take away [verb (transitive)] > deprive (of) > deprive forcibly

reaveOE

reavec1230

despoilc1300

ravishc1384

violatea1657

wrench1786

1786 R. Burns Poems 172 Till wrench'd of ev'ry stay but Heav'n, He, ruin'd, sink!

a. To twist, alter, or change from the right or true form, application, or import; to wrest, pervert, distort. Cf. wrest v. 5.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > mental capacity > intelligibility > misinterpretation > distortion or perversion of meaning > pervert or distort [verb (transitive)]

crooka1340

deprave1382

pervertc1390

strainc1449

drawc1450

miswrest?a1475

bewrya1522

wry?1521

to make a Welshman's hose ofa1529

writhea1533

wrest1533

invert1534

wring?1541

depravate1548

rack1548

violent1549

wrench1549

train1551

wreathe1556

throw1558

detorta1575

shuffle1589

wriggle1593

distortc1595

to put, set, place, etc. on the rack1599

twine1600

wire-draw1610

monstrify1617

screw1628

corrupt1630

gloss1638

torture1648

force1662

vex1678

refract1700

warp1717

to put a force upon1729

twist1821

ply1988

1549 H. Latimer 1st Serm. before Kynges Grace sig. Bvi Wrynching thys text of scrypture..after their owne phantasie.

1549 H. Latimer 1st Serm. before Kynges Grace sig. Bvi^v They wrinch these wordes awry after their owne fantasies.

1589 G. Puttenham Arte Eng. Poesie ii. iv. 63 Let his ryme and concordes be true,..& not darke or wrenched by wrong writing.

1593 G. Harvey Pierces Supererogation 100 Should impertinent secrecies be reuealed;..euery proposition wrinched to the harshest sense?

1641 J. Milton Of Reformation 65 These devout Prelates..for these many years have not ceas't in their Pulpits wrinching, and spraining the text.

1673 J. Milton Sonnets xviii, in Poems (new ed.) 60 [He] in his volumes taught our Lawes, Which others at their Barr so often wrench.

1863 C. C. Clarke Shakespeare-characters viii. 211 They proceeded to wrench that power to the restraining of all dissentients.

1877 A. Winchell Reconcil. Sci. & Relig. xii. 325 It is infinitely better to learn how God really did proceed, than to..wrench our Bible to make it fit a misconception of facts.

†b. To derive (a word) by alteration from another. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > language > linguistics > other schools of linguistics > [verb (transitive)] > trace etymology of > in improper or far-fetched manner

wresta1599

strain1605

wrench1605

far-fetch1639

1605 W. Camden Remaines i. 61 Lewis, Wrenched from Lodowick, which Tilius interpreteth, Refuge of the people.

8. Coursing. To divert, turn, or bring round (a hare, etc.) at less than a right angle; to rick.

ΘΚΠ

the world > food and drink > hunting > hunting with hounds > work done by hounds > action of hounds [verb (transitive)] > turn quarry

cote1555

serve1575

wrench1622

rick1829

1622 M. Drayton 2nd Pt. Poly-olbion xxiii. 73 When each man..notes Which Dog first turnes the Hare, which first the other coats, They wrench her once or twice, ere she a turne will take.

1839 Laws of Coursing in Youatt Dog (1845) 262 When a dog wrenches or ricks a hare twice following, without losing the lead, it is equal to a turn.

1840 Sportsman II. 216 Wrenched by the one or the other of her pursuers, she seemed every moment almost in the jaws of one of them.

1865 Field 4 Mar. 151/3 Rebe wrenched her hare half a dozen lengths in advance of Master Sweeney.

absolute.1876 Coursing Cal. 10 Gardenia shot in front, and..turned; she then wrenched and killed.1886 Field 20 Feb. 227/2 Mr. Dent's dog went up for the kill after wrenching once.

†9.

a. To drive, impel, or thrust (a weapon) with a twisting movement. Obsolete. rare.

ΘΚΠ

society > armed hostility > military equipment > operation and use of weapons > use or wield (a weapon) [verb (transitive)] > drive or thrust twistingly

wrench1594

1594 T. Kyd tr. R. Garnier Cornelia iv. i. 23 Scipio hath wrencht a sword into hys brest.

1594 T. Kyd tr. R. Garnier Cornelia iv. v. 322 He wrencht it to the pommel through his sides.

†b. reflexive. To force (oneself) in among others. Scottish. Obsolete. rare.

ΘΚΠ

the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > going or coming in > go or come in [verb (reflexive)] > in unwelcome or unwarranted manner

ingere1489

ingyre1513

thrust1530

intrude1573

inthrust1605

obtrude1647

wrench1729

purr1879

1729 R. Wodrow Corr. (1843) III. 454 [Such] persons..in a time of party and division, get in where they ought not to be, and when they have wrenched themselves in, talk [etc.].

10.

a. absol. To pull or tug (at something) with a turn or twist. Also figurative and transferred.

ΘΚΠ

the world > space > place > removal or displacement > remove or displace [verb (transitive)] > by twisting, wrenching, or turning

wringc1330

writhea1393

wrya1586

wrench1697

twist1785

1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Æneis xii, in tr. Virgil Wks. 612 Th' incumbent Heroe, wrench'd, and pull'd, and strain'd; But still the stubborn Earth the Steel detain'd.

1858 T. Carlyle Hist. Friedrich II of Prussia II. ix. ix. 488 France has been wrenching and screwing at this Lorraine, wriggling it off bit by bit.

1865 C. Dickens Our Mutual Friend I. ii. xv. 303 He..again grasped the stone..and wrenched at it.

1891 R. Kipling Life's Handicap 245 The water snarled and wrenched and worried at the timber.

b. To come out by or as by wrenching.

ΘΚΠ

the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > going or coming out > go or come out [verb (intransitive)] > by wrenching

wrench1903

1903 E. Childers Riddle of Sands viii The lower screw~plate on the stern post had wrenched out.

This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1928; most recently modified version published online December 2021).

n.¹c888

n.²?c1460

v.c1050

单词	wrench
释义	† wrenchn.¹ Forms: α. Old English–Middle English wrenc; Middle English–1500s wrench, Middle English–1500s wrenche. β. 1500s wrinch(e, 1600s wringe. Etymology: Old English wrenc , corresponding in form to Old High German renki twist, sprain (German ränke bend, hollow), and in sense to Middle High German and German rank bending, turning, trick, artifice. Compare wrenk n. and wrench v. Obsolete. 1. A crooked, cunning, or wily action or device; a trick, wile, or artifice. Frequently coupled with wile. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > ability > skill or skilfulness > cunning > [noun] > a wile or cunning device wrenchc888 craftOE turnc1225 ginc1275 play?a1300 enginec1300 wrenkc1325 forsetc1330 sleightc1340 knackc1369 cautel138. subtletya1393 wilea1400 tramc1400 wrinkle1402 artc1405 policy?1406 subtilityc1410 subtiltyc1440 jeopardy1487 jouk1513 pawka1522 frask1524 false point?1528 conveyance1534 compass1540 fineness1546 far-fetch?a1562 stratagem1561 finesse1562 entrapping1564 convoyance1578 lift1592 imagine1594 agitation1600 subtleship1614 artifice1620 navation1628 wimple1638 rig1640 lapwing stratagem1676 feint1679 undercraft1691 fly-flap1726 management1736 fakement1811 old tricka1822 fake1829 trickeration1940 swiftie1945 shrewdie1961 the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > deceit, deception, trickery > [noun] > a trick, deception wrenchc888 swikec893 braida1000 craftOE wile1154 crookc1175 trokingc1175 guile?c1225 hocket1276 blink1303 errorc1320 guileryc1330 sleightc1340 knackc1369 deceitc1380 japec1380 gaudc1386 syllogism1387 mazec1390 mowa1393 train?a1400 trantc1400 abusionc1405 creekc1405 trickc1412 trayc1430 lirtc1440 quaint?a1450 touch1481 pawka1522 false point?1528 practice1533 crink1534 flim-flamc1538 bobc1540 fetcha1547 abuse1551 block1553 wrinklec1555 far-fetch?a1562 blirre1570 slampant1577 ruse1581 forgery1582 crank1588 plait1589 crossbite1591 cozenage1592 lock1598 quiblin1605 foist1607 junt1608 firk1611 overreach?1615 fob1622 ludification1623 knick-knacka1625 flam1632 dodge1638 gimcrack1639 fourbe1654 juggle1664 strategy1672 jilt1683 disingenuity1691 fun1699 jugglementa1708 spring1753 shavie1767 rig?1775 deception1794 Yorkshire bite1795 fakement1811 fake1829 practical1833 deceptivity1843 tread-behind1844 fly1861 schlenter1864 Sinonism1864 racket1869 have1885 ficelle1890 wheeze1903 fast one1912 roughie1914 spun-yarn trick1916 fastie1931 phoney baloney1933 fake-out1955 okey-doke1964 mind-fuck1971 α. c888 Ælfred tr. Boethius De Consol. Philos. iv. §1 Nauht ne deregað monnum mane aþas, ne þæt lease lot þe beoð mid þam wrencum bewrigen. a1050 Liber Scintill. xxxvii. (1889) 136 On swa hwylcum wrence worda ænig swerige. a1122 Anglo-Saxon Chron. (Laud) ann. 1003 Ða sceolde..Ælfric lædan þa fyrde ac he teah forð þa his ealdan wrenceas. c1175 Lamb. Hom. 67 He fondede god solf mid his wrenche. ?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 197 Ach þis hechȝe sacrament..ouer alle oðer þing unwrið hise wrenches & brekeð hise strencðes. a1250 Prov. Ælfred 163 Monymon weneþ þat he wene ne þarf, longes lyues, ac him lyeþ þe wrench. 1303 R. Mannyng Handlyng Synne 7711 He dredde hym of sum wykked wrenche. 1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. I. 347 At þe laste Turgesius deide by gileful wyles and wrenches. 14.. Sir Beues (E.) 2753 + 32 Þe dragoun cowde soo many a wrenche. a1450 Medit. Life & Passion of Christ 1650 Þere ne shal..No wrenches ne no fendes wyle Make þat swetnesse away to gon. 1519 W. Horman Vulgaria ii. f. 23^v All those thynges were wroughte, by wrenches of wyked spyrittis. 1579 E. Hake Newes out of Powles Churchyarde newly Renued To Rdr. sig. A4 ^v The wrenches and wyles..that the lewde sorte of this people..doe vse to gette money with. β. 1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 290/2 Wrinches or wyles, chariuaris.a1533 Ld. Berners tr. A. de Guevara Golden Bk. M. Aurelius (1546) sig. Aa.vij If we take not hede to prepare against his wrinches, it wyll ouerthrow vs.1547 tr. A. de Marcourt Bk. Marchauntes (new ed.) e ij God knoweth what wily wrinches..they do commit fro day to day.1632 W. Lithgow Totall Disc. Trav. i. 3 A Dame..Whose wringes, winks, whose curious smiles and words, And scraping feete, lost blandement affoords. 2. Without article: Trickery, deceit, guile; fraud. ΘΚΠ the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > deceit, deception, trickery > [noun] swikec893 swikedomc893 dwalec950 braida1000 falsec1000 flerdc1000 swikelnessa1023 fakenOE chuffingc1175 fikenungc1175 bipechingc1200 treachery?c1225 falseshipc1230 guilec1230 telingc1230 swikeheada1250 craftc1275 felony1297 wrench1297 deceitc1300 gabc1300 guiling13.. guilery1303 quaintisec1325 wrenk1338 beswiking1340 falsehood1340 abetc1350 wissing1357 wilec1374 faitery1377 faiting1377 tregetryc1380 fallacec1384 trainc1390 coverture1393 facrere1393 ficklenessc1397 falsagea1400 tregeta1400 abusionc1405 blearingc1405 deceptionc1430 mean?c1430 tricotc1430 obreption1465 fallacy1481 japery1496 gauderya1529 fallax1530 conveyance1531 legerdemain1532 dole1538 trompe1547 joukery1562 convoyance1578 forgery1582 abetment1586 outreaching1587 chicanery1589 falsery1594 falsity1603 fubbery1604 renaldry1612 supercherie1621 circumduction1623 fobbinga1627 dice-play1633 beguile1637 fallaxitya1641 ingannation1646 hocus1652 renardism1661 dodgerya1670 knapping1671 trap1681 joukery-pawkery1686 jugglery1699 take-in1772 tripotage1779 trickery1801 ruse1807 dupery1816 nailing1819 pawkery1820 hanky-panky1841 hokey-pokey1847 suck-in1856 phenakisma1863 skulduggery1867 sharp practice1869 dodginess1871 jiggery-pokery1893 flim-flammery1898 runaround1915 hanky1924 to give the go-around1925 Scandiknavery1927 the twist1933 hype1955 mamaguy1971 1297 R. Gloucester's Chron. (Rolls) 2924 Of is luþer wrenche..Four hondred & four score mid treson he slou þere. c1300 Beket (Percy Soc.) 44 He was stronge adrad ȝut of wommanes wrenche. a1400 Seuyn Sages (W.) 438 She schette the dore, and set him on benche. Wil ye nou i-here of wommannes wrenche? 1566 T. Sternhold & J. Hopkins Whole Bk. Psalms xxvi. 10 Their right hand with wrenche and wile for bribes doth plucke and pull. This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1928; most recently modified version published online September 2021). wrenchn.² Brit. /rɛn(t)ʃ/, U.S. /rɛn(t)ʃ/ Forms: Also Middle English wrynche, 1500s–1600s, dialect1800s wrinch (1800s dialect wringe, ringe); 1500s wren(t)che, 1800s Scottish wrunch, runch. Etymology: Apparently not a continuation of the wrench n.¹, but directly based upon wrench v. †1. on wrench, crosswise. Obsolete. rare. ΘΚΠ the world > space > relative position > fact or condition of being transverse > intersection > in a crossed position [phrase] a crossa1400 on crossa1400 on wrench?c1460 ?c1460 MS. Porkington 10 f. 58 (Halliwell) The vij. wyffe sat one the bynche, And sche caste her legge one wrynche. 2. a. An act of wrenching, or the fact of being wrenched; a twisting or pulling aside, awry, or out of shape; a violent twist or turn. ΘΠ the world > space > shape > misshapenness > [noun] > action or fact of putting or being out of shape > distortion > twisting and pulling wrenching1398 wresting1398 wrench1530 convulsion1599 1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 290/2 Wrenche, torche. 1618 Bp. J. Hall Contempl. IV. O.T. xii. 16 Gods iudgements are the racke of godlesse men; If one straine make them not confesse, let them be stretched but one wrench hyer, and they cannot be silent. 1755 S. Johnson Dict. Eng. Lang. Wrench,..a violent pull or twist. 1771 A. Lonnergan Fencer's Guide 87 A Wrench is thus formed. 1771 A. Lonnergan Fencer's Guide 88 Retire a little upon the second wrench. 1836 C. Dickens Pickwick Papers (1837) xi. 105 The little stone having been raised with one wrench of a spade. 1855 E. C. Gaskell North & South I. xxii. 272 They all could hear..the creak of wood slowly yielding; the wrench of iron; the mighty fall of the ponderous gates. 1861 C. Reade Cloister & Hearth lii [She] gave a contemptuous wrench of her shoulder. 1893 M. Pemberton Iron Pirate iv [The yacht] jibbed round of a sudden, with an appalling wrench at the horse. figurative and in figurative contexts.1533 T. More Apologye xxii. 128 The same reason wold..serue with one lytell wrenche ferther, to take in lyke wyse a waye from euery other man.a1616 W. Shakespeare Timon of Athens (1623) ii. ii. 205 A Noble Nature May catch a wrench . View more context for this quotation1854 Baroness Bunsen in A. J. C. Hare Life & Lett. Baroness Bunsen (1879) II. 167 Quite conscious that it is a strong wrench that drags him out of so large a part of the habits of life.a1865 E. C. Gaskell Wives & Daughters (1866) I. xxi. 247 Then, with a wrench, changing the subject..he broke out [etc.].1878 R. Browning La Saisiaz 51 I shall..bless each kindly wrench that wrung From life's tree its inmost virtue. b. A sudden or sharp twist or jerk causing pain or injury to a limb, person, etc.; a sprain, strain. Also in figurative context. ΘΚΠ the world > health and disease > ill health > a disease > diseases of tissue > disorders affecting muscles > [noun] > sprain or strain wrench1530 strain1558 sprain1601 wrest1616 wramp1669 spraining1673 rax1790 rick1813 wrick1831 twist1864 stave1900 pull1923 1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 290/2 Wrenche out of joynt, deboytement, dejoincture. 1545 R. Ascham Toxophilus i. f. 15^v If he haue a wrentche, or haue taken colde in his arme. 1578 H. Wotton tr. J. Yver Courtlie Controuersie 28 If..a wrenche breake a bone without perishing the fleshe or skinne whiche couereth it. 1655 T. Fuller Church-hist. Brit. ii. 69 Every small Wrinch, or stepping awrie, is enough to put an ill-set Bone out of joynt. 1665 Earl of Orrery Coll. State Lett. (1742) 100 I have got such a wrench in my ancle. 1748 B. Robins & R. Walter Voy. round World by Anson ii. ix. 226 He was thereby haled into the ship, without..any other injury than a wrench in his arm. 1802 W. Paley Nat. Theol. viii. 125 The contortions and wrenches to which the limbs of animals are continually subject. 1860 J. Tyndall Glaciers of Alps i. xix. 134 They compelled the arms to take a position which, if the footing gave way, would necessitate a wrench. 1879 G. Meredith Egoist iv She quietly gave a wrench to the neck of the young hope in her breast. c. An instance of this in horses; also with the, as the specific name of an ailment. ΘΚΠ the world > health and disease > ill health > animal disease or disorder > disorders of horses > [noun] > other disorders of horses trench?a1450 colt-evilc1460 affreyd?1523 cholera1566 crick1566 incording1566 leprosy1566 taint1566 eyesore1576 fistula1576 wrench1578 birth1600 garrot1600 stithy1600 stifling1601 stranglings1601 hungry evil1607 pose1607 crest-fall1609 pompardy1627 felteric1639 quick-scab1639 shingles1639 clap1684 sudden taking1688 bunches1706 flanks1706 strangles1706 chest-founderingc1720 body-founder1737 influenza1792 foundering1802 horse-sickness1822 stag-evil1823 strangullion1830 shivering1847 dourine1864 swamp fever1870 African horse sickness1874 horse-pox1884 African horse disease1888 wind-stroke1890 thump1891 leucoencephalitis1909 western equine encephalitis1933 stachybotryotoxicosis1945 rhinopneumonitis1957 1578 H. Wotton tr. J. Yver Courtlie Controuersie 301 Claribel supposing it hadde bin some wrench, commaunded his man to bathe the horse leg. 1580 T. Blundeville Foure Offices Horsemanship (rev. ed.) 59 The Curbe..commeth..by some straine or wrinch wherebie the tender sinewes are grieued. 1627 J. Taylor Armado sig. C6^v The shedding of the haire, the Horse-hipped, the Wrench, the Necke-cricke. 1639 T. de Gray Compl. Horseman ii. xviii. 306 A Horse that hath gotten a wrench in his shoulder. 1695 London Gaz. No. 3105/4 A dark brown gelding,..goes wadling behind, as if he had a Wrench in his Back. 1727 N. Bailey Universal Etymol. Eng. Dict. II Entorses, Wrenches of the Pasterns in Horses. d. figurative. A parting or separation causing painful or violent emotion; pain or anguish resulting from leave-taking.In frequent use from c1875. ΘΠ the mind > emotion > suffering > mental anguish or torment > [noun] > anguish caused by parting convulsion1688 wrench1849 the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > going away > [noun] > parting from one another > painful or emotional wrench1849 1849 F. W. Robertson Serm. (1855) 1st Ser. xii. 202 The misery of the wrench from all that is dear and bright. 1874 J. R. Green Short Hist. Eng. People viii. §4. 493 It was not without a wrench that they tore themselves from their English homes. 1889 ‘J. S. Winter’ Mrs. Bob x Now that it had come to parting with the last of them [sc. daughters] it was an undeniable wrench. e. Mathematical Physics. (See first quot.) ΚΠ 1876 R. S. Ball Theory of Screws 4 We now introduce the word wrench, to denote a force and a couple in a plane perpendicular to the force. 1876 R. S. Ball Theory of Screws 5 These wrenches could be replaced by one wrench which is called the resultant wrench. †3. a. A sharp turn, bend, or deflection; an abrupt turning movement. Obsolete. rare. ΘΚΠ the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > change of direction of movement > [noun] wentc1374 turning1426 turnagain1545 wrench1549 yaw1597 veer1611 veering1611 version1625 wheelinga1660 sway1818 whiffle1842 twizzle1848 split-turn1932 1549 M. Coverdale et al. tr. Erasmus Paraphr. Newe Test. (new ed.) II. Rom. Argt. sig. iiii^v The reader wandering vppe and downe, as it wer in wrenches, or..in a mismase diuersly tournyng and wyndyng. 1596 J. Davies Orchestra liii. sig. B3^v I loue Mæanders path,..Such winding sleights, such turnes and tricks he hath, Such Creekes, such wrenches, and such daliaunce. figurative.1650 I. Ambrose Ultima 205 Austin after some turns and wrenches concludeth thus. b. Coursing. A turning or bringing round of the hare or rabbit at less than a right angle. ΘΚΠ the world > food and drink > hunting > hunting with hounds > work done by hounds > [noun] > actions in coursing cote1575 counter1575 go-by1615 wrench1615 trip1856 1615 G. Markham Countrey Contentments i. viii. 105 That Dogge which giueth the first turne, if after the turnes be giuen and neither coat, slip, nor wrench extraordinary, then he [etc.]. 1686 R. Blome Gentlemans Recreation ii. 98/1 Sometimes the Hare doth not Turn, but Wrench; for she is not properly said to Turn, except she Turn as it were round, and two Wrenches stand for a Turn. 1688 R. Holme Acad. Armory ii. ix. 189/1 A Wrench, is not a turn, but as it were, a half turn. 1840 D. P. Blaine Encycl. Rural Sports 598/1 A cote is when..one [dog] outruns the other, and gives the hare a turn or wrench. 1856 ‘Stonehenge’ Man. Brit. Rural Sports 212/1 Working Power is evinced by the Wrench and the Turn. 1887 Field 19 Feb. 235/3 The brindled [greyhound] eventually finishing the course with a couple of wrenches and a kill. 4. Change from the original purport or signification; a strained or wrested meaning; a forced or false interpretation. (Cf. wrest n.¹ 3.) ΘΠ the mind > mental capacity > intelligibility > misinterpretation > distortion or perversion of meaning > [noun] wrestingc1444 pervertinga1450 corruptiona1513 straining1528 writhing?1532 hacking1539 violence1546 racking1556 wrying1562 wringing1565 detorting1579 wrest1581 detortion1598 wrench1603 torture1605 distorting1610 violencing1612 refraction1614 misacception1629 distortion1650 distorture1709 misacceptation1721 torturing1753 verbicide1826 stretch1849 twisting1890 queeringness1955 the mind > mental capacity > intelligibility > misinterpretation > distortion or perversion of meaning > [noun] > instance of violence1546 wresting1551 wreathing1556 strain1579 wrest1581 mis-sense1615 by-signification1651 extortion1652 corruption1699 wrench1701 by-sense1782 corruptibility1847 torturing1855 twist1862 1603 J. Davies Microcosmos 135 If there be wrench in this Paralell, It is in that [etc.]. 1701 J. Strype Hist. Coll. J. Aylmer 265 Whence..the Popish Bishops might see their Wrenches and Cavillations..to be maintained thereby. 1864 J. R. Lowell Black Preacher 11 But since I might chance give his meaning a wrench,..I'll put what he told me..In a rhymed prose. 5. a. One or other form of mechanical screw. ΘΚΠ society > occupation and work > equipment > building and constructing equipment > fastenings > [noun] > screw > other types of screw wrench1552 needle screw1663 female screw1667 stop-screw1680 male screw1682 wood-screw1733 right and left handed screw1738 screw eye1787 claw-screw1795 screw shaft1818 union joint1819 union screw1820 right-and-left screw1821 binding-screw1828 coach screw1874 lag bolt1893 grub-screw1903 Allen screw1910 multithread1921 self-tapper1949 1552 Acts Hen. VIII 40 The Bier [= buyer]..shall not..straine..the same clothes..by teintour or wrinche [1514 wynche]. 1598 J. Florio Worlde of Wordes Storta,..a wrench or wrest that ioyners vse. 1600 F. Pretty in R. Hakluyt Princ. Navigations (new ed.) III. 810 Hee was faine to cause them to bee tormented with their thumbes in a wrinch. 1618 M. Dalton Countrey Justice 34 Any teynters, wrinches or other engines whatsoeuer, wherby any deceipt may be vsed in..the stretching of any wollen Cloth. 1692 J. P. New Guide Constables 33 Tenters,..Headwrinches, or other Engines for stretching of Cloth.] 1825 J. Jamieson Etymol. Dict. Sc. Lang. Suppl. Wrunch, a winch or windlace. †b. figurative. A means of compulsion or constraint. Obsolete. rare. ΘΚΠ society > authority > subjection > obedience > compulsion > [noun] > agency or means of compulsorya1513 screw1618 wrench1622 compulsive1638 coercitive1651 coercive1651 enforcive1686 persuader1788 steamroller1896 1622 F. Bacon Hist. Raigne Henry VII 90 He.. resolued to make this profit of this businesse..as a Wrench and meane for Peace. c. A tool or implement of various forms, consisting essentially of a metal bar with (frequently adjustable) jaws adapted for catching or gripping a bolt-head, nut, etc., to turn it; a screw-key, screw-wrench, or spanner.Also bed-, monkey-, pipe-, screw-, tap-, tube-wrench: see those words. ΘΠ society > occupation and work > equipment > screwdrivers, wrenches, spanners > [noun] > spanner or wrench turn-bolt1596 wrenching-iron1597 key1659 screw key1742 spanner1790 screw wrench1791 wrench1794 screw spanner1831 wrencher1832 1794 W. Felton Treat. Carriages I. 94 A spindle that is turned with a wrench upon the outside. 1794 W. Felton Treat. Carriages I. 231 Tool budget..[for carrying] the few requisites for the coachman's use; such as a wrench, a hammer, a chissel. 1834 F. Marryat Peter Simple II. ii. 33 We worked very hard until the hole was large enough, using the crow-bar..and a little wrench. 1862 Catal. Internat. Exhib., Brit. II. No. 6111 Patent wrench and mallet to save all taps from damage. 1879 Cassell's Techn. Educator (new ed.) IV. 199/2 The wrench or spanner..is used for fastening the headstock or poppet down on the bed. d. Surgery. Applied to various makes of instruments having adjustable jaws, spec. for gripping a deformed foot to be rectified by torsion. ΘΚΠ the world > health and disease > healing > medical appliances or equipment > other surgical equipment > [noun] > instruments for correcting displacements > of the root wrench1895 1895 Catal. Surg. Instruments (Arnold & Sons) 774 Wrenches for bending Thomas's Splints. 1896 A. H. Tubby Deformities 416 Some wrenches are formidable and powerful instruments. 1896 A. H. Tubby Deformities 418 Holding the foot in the bite of the wrench too long. Compounds C1. attributive and in other combinations, as wrench finisher, wrench forger; wrench hammer, wrench handle. Π 1875 E. H. Knight Amer. Mech. Dict. III. 2822/1 Wrench-hammer, a hammer having a movable member to form a spanner. 1880 R. D. Blackmore Mary Anerley III. xix. 268 Mr. Mordacks..holding him, as in a wrench-hammer, all the way, silencing his squeaks, with another turn of screw. ?1881 Census Eng. & Wales: Instr. Clerks classifying Occupations & Ages (?1885) 44 Wrench Finisher and Forger. a1884 E. H. Knight Pract. Dict. Mech. Suppl. 957/1 Wrench Handle, a double-arm wrench for use with dies for cutting threads, and other purposes. C2. wrench fault n. Geology = strike-slip fault at strike n.¹ Compounds 2. ΘΚΠ the world > the earth > structure of the earth > structural features > discontinuity or unconformity > [noun] > fault > other types of fault heave1802 reversed fault1852 reverse fault1865 step-fault1879 ring fracture1881 overfault1883 overlap fault1883 overthrust1883 trough fault1883 thrust1888 thrust-fault1889 offset1897 cross-fault1900 tear-fault1900 distributive fault1904 cross-break1909 slide1910 strike-slip fault1913 rift1921 splay fault1942 wrench fault1951 megashear1954 transform fault1965 transform1971 1951 E. M. Anderson Dynamics of Faulting & Dyke Formation (ed. 2) i. 2 The term ‘Blatt’ will be translated as wrench fault. 1977 A. Hallam Planet Earth 61/1 Major wrench faults (e.g., the Great Glen Fault of Scotland) exhibit displacements of 100km..or more. This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1928; most recently modified version published online March 2022). wrenchv. Brit. /rɛn(t)ʃ/, U.S. /rɛn(t)ʃ/ Forms: α. Old English wrencan, Middle English wrenchen, Middle English, 1500s wrenche, Middle English– wrench, 1500s wrensh (1600s–1700s rench, 1700s archaic wranch). β. Middle English wrynch, Middle English wrynche, 1500s wrinche, 1500s–1600s wrinch. Etymology: Old English wrencan to twist, turn (also figurative to practise wiles), = Old High German renchan (Middle High German and German renken ) to twist; of obscure relationship. Compare wrenk v. I. intransitive. †1. a. To perform or undergo a quick or forcible turning or twisting motion; to turn or writhe (about or aside). Also figurative. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > movement > motion in specific manner > writhing or twisting movement > writhe or twist [verb (intransitive)] wendOE throwOE to-writhec1000 windc1000 wrenchc1050 writhec1300 wrenka1400 wrestle?a1400 chervec1440 wring1470 wrele1513 wriggle1573 wrincha1625 curla1637 twingle1647 twine1666 twirl1706 retort1720 α. c1050 Monasteriales Indicia (MS. Cott. Tib. A iii) f. 97 Is þæs horderes tacen, þæt mon wrænce mid is hande, swilce he wille loc hunlucan. c1200 Trin. Coll. Hom. 211 At pleȝe..þih and shonkes and fet oppieð, wombe gosshieð, and shuldres wrenchieð. a1240 Wohunge in Old Eng. Hom. I. 281 Hu þu was naket bunden faste to þe piler, þat tu ne mihtes now~hwider wrenche fra þa duntes. 1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. VII. 538 Anoon his knyȝtes come to Venus to have the ryng, but heo wrenchide [MS. α. wrynchede] and blenchide and strof longe tyme, but [etc.]. a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Fairf. 14) l. 19353 Þan be-gan þai wrenche [Gött. wrinck, Vesp. wrenk] & wraist, & for tene þaire teþ to gnaiste. c1500 New Notbr. Mayd 152 in W. C. Hazlitt Remains Early Pop. Poetry Eng. III. 7 To fulfyll His wanton wyll, Wrenchynge from me alway. c1530 Bible (Tyndale) Num. xxii. 25 The asse..wrenshed vnto the walle and thrust Balams fote vnto the wall. 1605 J. Sylvester tr. G. de S. Du Bartas Deuine Weekes & Wks. i. v. 153 This Torpedo..Doth not as other Fish, that wrench and wriggle, When they be prickt. 1625 R. Montagu Appello Cæsarem 319 Setting some rigorous Puritans aside, that like no Religion but one of their owne making,..there are few Calvinists..that will wrench at this. 1716 J. Gay Trivia iii. 61 Should thy shoe wrench aside, down, down you fall. β. c1340 R. Rolle Pricke of Conscience 1538 Some gase wrynchand to and fra, And some gas hypand.1509 S. Hawes Pastime of Pleasure (1845) xviii. 84 I can not wrynche by no wyle nor croke, My heart is fast upon so sure a hoke.a1632 T. Taylor God's Judgem. (1642) i. i. xxii. 84 A charet.., wherein were certain yron-works, which with wrinching about gave an horrible sound.a1641 R. Montagu Acts & Monuments (1642) 497 Rather then goe to law, to sit down by losse; and without wrinching forgo what was his due. †b. Fencing. (See quots. and cf. whirl v. 3.) ΘΚΠ society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > fighting sports > fencing > fence [verb (intransitive)] playeOE skirmisha1387 to play at bucklersa1500 swash1556 fencea1616 tilt1699 wrench1771 society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > fighting sports > fencing > fence [verb (intransitive)] > actions traversea1470 to hold one's handa1500 flourish1552 lock1579 to come in1594 retire1594 pass1595 recover1600 redouble1640 allonge1652 caveat1652 parry1671 disengage1684 overlap1692 volt1692 tierce1765 whip1771 wrench1771 lunge1809 salute1809 riposte1823 cut1833 quart1833 repost1848 remise1889 1771 A. Lonnergan Fencer's Guide Index Wrenching, is to disarm, by whirling off your adversary's blade, without setting any bounds to it, or whirling to any certain parade. 1771 A. Lonnergan Fencer's Guide 88 When you parry with a Prime, wrench round into a Tierce. 2. Coursing. Of a hare, etc.: to veer or come round at less than a right angle; to rick. ΘΚΠ the world > food and drink > hunting > hunting with hounds > work done by hounds > action of hounds [verb (intransitive)] > other actions of hounds to be at bayc1515 blemish1575 to give the hare a turn1575 wrench1686 lurch1824 meuse1827 stream1849 smeuse1851 water1855 to run into shot1884 1686 R. Blome Gentlemans Recreation ii. 98/1 Sometimes the Hare doth not Turn, but Wrench; for she is not properly said to Turn, except she Turn as it were round, and two Wrenches stand for a Turn. 1753 Chambers's Cycl. Suppl. at Coursing If the hare turns not quite about, she only wrencheth, in the sportsman's phrase. 1839 Laws of Coursing in Youatt Dog (1845) 261 If a dog draws the fleck from the hare, and causes her to wrench or rick only. II. transitive. 3. a. To twist or turn (a thing) forcibly or with effort; to jerk or pull with a violent twist; = wrest v. 1. Also with adverbs, as about, round. ΘΚΠ the world > movement > motion in specific manner > writhing or twisting movement > writhe or twist [verb (transitive)] wresta1000 throwOE twingec1000 wringc1000 wrench?c1225 writhec1400 wreathec1425 wryc1460 screw1600 twist1769 ?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 165 Ich wulle..wrenchen hire þiderwart as ha mest dreieð. ?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 157 Summe iuglurs beoð þet ne cunne seruin of nan oðer gleo. buten makien cheres. wrenchen þe muð mis. 1545 R. Ascham Toxophilus ii. f. 30^v Some will take theyr bowe and writhe & wrinche it. 1578 H. Lyte tr. R. Dodoens Niewe Herball 41 Small seedes, whiche be as they were wrenched or writhen about. 1590 Tarltons Newes out of Purgatorie 22 Though shee coulde not treade right, yet wrincht her shooe inward. 1600 R. Surflet tr. C. Estienne & J. Liébault Maison Rustique iii. xi. 444 The wood of such great plants, doth pinch and wrinche the graft mightily. 1674 R. Hooke Animadversions Machina Cœlestis 52 This Plate..must be wrenched or wreithed, so that the Plain thereof must stand parallel to the Plain of the Index-Frame. 1718 F. Hutchinson Hist. Ess. conc. Witchcraft viii. 114 One [cart carrying corn] wrench'd Amy Duny's House, upon which she came out in a Rage. 1819 W. Scott Legend of Montrose v, in Tales of my Landlord 3rd Ser. IV. 105 If you venture to call for assistance, I will wrench round your neck. 1825 W. Scott Talisman xv, in Tales Crusaders IV. 352 Each strange and disproportioned feature wrenched by horror into still more extravagant ugliness. 1839 R. I. Murchison Silurian Syst. i. xxxi. 422 The limestone of the principal branch is suddenly wrenched round. 1863 B. Taylor Poets Jrnl. iii. Watch of Night 7 Blow, winds..And wrench the trees forlorn That struggle where they stand. 1876 A. C. Swinburne Erechtheus 588 All her flower of body,..With the might of the wind's wrath wrenched and torn. b. To tighten with or as with a wrest or wrench; †to tune (a harp, etc.) in this way. Also with up. ΘΚΠ the world > matter > constitution of matter > hardness > types of hardness > [verb (transitive)] > make taut stretcha1387 bracec1440 wrench1577 span1598 tend1646 span1650 screw1657 tauten1777 tensify1869 tense1884 tension1891 society > leisure > the arts > music > musical sound > pitch > tuning or intonation > tune [verb (transitive)] > tune strings wresta1000 straina1387 string1530 to set down1565 wrench1577 to wind up1608 wind1612 to screw up1625 to set up1643 screw1657 the world > relative properties > wholeness > mutual relation of parts to whole > fastening > condition of being fast bound or firmly fixed > make fast [verb (transitive)] > tighten (bands, cords, knots, nuts) > (as) with a wrest or wrench wrench1875 1577 J. Grange Golden Aphroditis sig. Hiij^v Orpheus with thy Harpe in hande, Arion also.., Wrinche vp your strings. 1577 J. Grange Golden Aphroditis sig. M ij b Playing..vppon their Harpes, wrinched and set to the highest note of Diatesseron. 1875 E. H. Knight Amer. Mech. Dict. III. 2253/1 The eye [of the spanner] is caught over the stud on the collar, so as to wrench it fast. figurative.a1616 W. Shakespeare Coriolanus (1623) i. ix. 11 For thy Reuenge Wrench vp thy power to th'highest. View more context for this quotation †4. figurative. a. To draw or turn (a person) aside; to force out of the right way. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > change of direction of movement > change direction of movement of [verb (transitive)] > cause to deviate from course charec1000 wrencha1200 turnc1275 to turn againc1330 swerve1390 wrya1400 reflectc1425 traverse1438 to turn aside1535 deduce1541 divert1548 to turn off1573 wrig1582 react1599 deflect1615 slent1639 decline1646 deviate1660 to wind off1677 sway1678 warp1814 switch1861 baffle1883 a1200 St. Marher. 4 Þæt tu ne maht nanes weies..wenden me ne wrenchen ut of þe weie. a1225 Leg. Kath. 124 Nes þer nan þet mahte neauer eanes wrenchen hire..ut of þe weie. c1230 Hali Meid. 47 Ihesu crist..leue swa hare heorte halden to him, þat hare flesches eggunge..ne weorri hare heorte wit, ne wrenche ham ut of þe wei þat ha beoð in gongen. †b. To draw out or expel (temptations); to withdraw or shelter (oneself); to divert or deflect towards another. (Cf. wrenk v. 2) Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > refuge or shelter > seek (refuge) [verb (transitive)] > shelter wrench?c1225 covera1275 herda1300 lown1487 scug1513 subumber1543 becalm1559 embower1580 ensconce1594 sconce1598 screen1611 burrow1657 lew1664 embosom1685 the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > going or coming out > letting or sending out > let or send out [verb (transitive)] > expel > specific immaterial things wrench?c1225 outrage?a1439 express1547 expectorate1621 devolve1654 ?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 224 Ȝef þu seist þet unstrengðe ne machte naut elles. þu wrenchest þisunne ogod. ?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 217 Þet þu ne macht þis schelt holden on þin heorte ne wrenchen hire þer under fromwart þe deofles arewen. ?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 179 Þulliche þochtes ofte inflesliche saulen wrencheð ut sonre flesliche fondunges þen summe of þe arre. †c. To misrepresent or slander (a person). ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > contempt > disrepute > damage to reputation > slander or calumny > slander or calumniate [verb (transitive)] to say or speak shame of, on, byc950 teleeOE sayOE to speak evil (Old English be) ofc1000 belie?c1225 betell?c1225 missayc1225 skandera1300 disclanderc1300 wrenchc1300 bewrayc1330 bite1330 gothele1340 slanderc1340 deprave1362 hinderc1375 backbite1382 blasphemec1386 afamec1390 fame1393 to blow up?a1400 defamea1400 noise1425 to say well (also evil, ill, etc.) of (also by)1445 malignc1450 to speak villainy of1470 infame1483 injury1484 painta1522 malicea1526 denigrate1526 disfamea1533 misreporta1535 sugill?1539 dishonest?c1550 calumniate1554 scandalize1566 ill1577 blaze1579 traduce1581 misspeak1582 blot1583 abuse1592 wronga1596 infamonize1598 vilify1598 injure?a1600 forspeak1601 libel1602 infamize1605 belibel1606 calumnize1606 besquirt1611 colly1615 scandala1616 bedirt1622 soil1641 disfigurea1643 sycophant1642 spatter1645 sugillate1647 bespattera1652 bedung1655 asperse1656 mischieve1656 opprobriatea1657 reflect1661 dehonestate1663 carbonify1792 defamate1810 mouth1810 foul-mouth1822 lynch1836 rot1890 calumny1895 ding1903 bad-talk1938 norate1938 bad-mouth1941 monster1967 c1300 Pol. Songs (Camden) 157 Ȝef y am wreint in heore write, Thenne am y bac-bite. 5. a. To injure or pain (a person, the limbs, etc.) by undue straining or stretching; to rick, sprain, strain. ΘΚΠ the world > health and disease > ill health > a disease > diseases of tissue > disorders affecting muscles > affect with muscular disorder [verb (transitive)] > sprain or strain wrench1530 wrestc1550 strain1612 sprain1622 wrincha1625 rick1638 subluxate1743 turn1758 throw1790 wramp1808 vert1883 stave1887 crink1888 wrick1904 pull1908 α. 1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 785/1 I wrenche my foote, or any lymme, I put it out of joynt. 1578 H. Lyte tr. R. Dodoens Niewe Herball 235 A playster..upon places that be out of ioynt or wrenched. 1611 J. Florio Queen Anna's New World of Words Storcersi le membra, to straine or wrench ones limmes out of ioint. 1638 W. Lisle tr. Heliodorus Hist. viii. 141 Bagoas..with a fall Had wrench'd his leg. 1745 J. Swift Direct. to Servants 4 You wrencht your Foot against a Stone, and were forced to stay. 1835 T. Mitchell in tr. Aristophanes Acharnians 1064 (note) To wrench the ankle. 1854 W. M. Thackeray Newcomes I. xxii. 210 He..came down on the pavement and wrenched his leg. figurative.1642 T. Fuller Holy State iii. xix. 204 Would it not have wrench'd and spraind his soul..?β. 1578 H. Wotton tr. J. Yver Courtlie Controuersie 259 By wrinching their foote in drawing on their hose.1578 M. Jennings tr. E. de Maisonneufve Gerileon of Englande i. f. 54^v His fistes..so were wrinched that he felt them not.1607 E. Topsell Hist. Foure-footed Beastes 78 If an oxe be wrinched and strayned in his sinnewes.1684 J. Smith Profit & Pleasure United 204 Leg out of Joynt or Wrinched. b. To affect with severe pain, suffering, or anguish; to distress or pain greatly; to rack. ΘΚΠ the mind > emotion > suffering > mental anguish or torment > cause of mental anguish or torment > cause anguish to or torment [verb (transitive)] quelmeOE eatc1000 martyrOE fretc1175 woundc1175 to-fret?c1225 gnawc1230 to-traya1250 torment1297 renda1333 anguish1340 grindc1350 wringc1374 debreakc1384 ofpinec1390 rivea1400 urn1488 reboil1528 whip1530 cruciate1532 pinch1548 spur-galla1555 agonize1570 rack1576 cut1582 excruciate1590 scorchc1595 discruciate1596 butcher1597 split1597 torture1598 lacerate1600 harrow1603 hell1614 to eat upa1616 arrow1628 martyrize1652 percruciate1656 tear1666 crucify1702 flay1782 wrench1798 kill1800 to cut up1843 1798 S. T. Coleridge Anc. Marinere vii, in W. Wordsworth & S. T. Coleridge Lyrical Ballads 48 Forthwith this frame of mine was wrench'd With a woeful agony. 1814 W. Wordsworth Excursion vii. 349 Through the space Of twelve ensuing days his frame was wrenched . View more context for this quotation 1822 P. B. Shelley Hellas 23 A spirit not my own wrench'd me within. in extended use.a1807 W. Wordsworth Prelude (1959) v. 138 Should earth by inward throes be wrench'd throughout. 6. To pull or draw with a wrench or twist; to twist or wrest out; to force, turn, etc., by a twisting movement: a. With prepositions, as from, into, out of, to. ΘΚΠ the world > space > direction > direct [verb (transitive)] > change the direction of wrya1400 divert1548 wrench1582 break1600 deflect1615 deviate1660 wrest1759 sidetrack1887 the world > movement > impelling or driving > pushing and pulling > push and pull [verb (transitive)] > pull > with a twisting movement wrest1297 winda1513 wrench1582 the world > movement > impelling or driving > pushing and pulling > push and pull [verb (intransitive)] > pull > with a twisting movement windc1400 wrench1697 1582 R. Stanyhurst tr. Virgil First Foure Bookes Æneis iii. 46 Swiftlye they determind..too wrinche thee nauye too southward. a1616 W. Shakespeare Othello (1623) v. ii. 294 Wrench [1622 Wring] his Sword from him. 1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Æneis xii, in tr. Virgil Wks. 594 Turnus..Wrench'd from his feeble hold the shining Sword. 1730 J. Thomson Winter in Seasons 209 When Justice..Wrench'd from their hand Oppression's iron rod. 1748 B. Robins & R. Walter Voy. round World by Anson ii. vi. 201 Seizing his pistol, [he] wrenched it out of his hand. 1820 P. B. Shelley Prometheus Unbound i. i. 21 To wrench the rivets from my quivering wounds. 1882 B. D. W. Ramsay Recoll. Mil. Serv. I. i. 25 We wrenched out of the wall an iron hook. figurative and in figurative context.1608 W. Shakespeare King Lear iv. 262 O most small fault,..that like an engine wrencht my frame of nature from the fixt place. View more context for this quotationa1616 W. Shakespeare Measure for Measure (1623) ii. iv. 14 How often dost thou..Wrench awe from fooles? View more context for this quotation1790 R. Burns Poems & Songs (1968) II. 544 Bruce..Wrench'd his dear country from the jaws of Ruin.1820 W. Hazlitt Lect. Dramatic Lit. 13 Nor could he [sc. Shakspere] have been wrenched from his place in the edifice..without equal injury to himself and it.1851 N. Hawthorne House of Seven Gables xvi. 259 To wrench it [sc. a fixed opinion] out of their minds.1879 J. McCarthy Hist. our Own Times III. xlii. 283 His gift was that which wrenches success out of the very jaws of failure.reflexive.1834 F. B. Head Bubbles from Brunnen 129 As if the corpse..had wrenched himself once again into daylight. b. With adverbs, as away, off, out, outward, up; asunder, open. ΘΚΠ the world > space > relative position > condition of being open or not closed > open [verb (transitive)] > force or wrench open unspurna1300 upbreak1382 to strike up1467 to break open1594 wrench1607 force1623 spring1825 the world > space > place > removal or displacement > extraction > extract [verb (transitive)] > twist out or up to wring outc1420 to wring upc1440 wrestc1450 outtwinea1500 throwa1500 outwrest1590 twine1600 screw1611 to ply out1668 wrench1726 1607 E. Topsell Hist. Foure-footed Beastes 364 Staying the midst of your toole vpon the horses neather iaw, wrinch the tooth outward. 1609 W. Shakespeare Pericles xii. 54 2.Gent. T'is like a Coffin... Cer. Wrench it open soft. 1639 G. Plattes Discov. Infinite Treasure xii. 84 In a quarter of an houre the whole bush is wrenched up by the rootes. 1726 J. Swift Gulliver I. i. i. 8 I had the fortune to..wrench out the Pegs. 1796 J. Boys Gen. View Agric. Kent (new ed.) 120 A hop-dog, to wrench up the poles. a1822 P. B. Shelley Peter Bell III i, in Poet. Wks. (?1840) 238/2 As he was speaking came a spasm, And wrenched his gnashing teeth asunder. 1825 J. Neal Brother Jonathan I. 251 He went up to the door, wrenched off the fastenings. 1863 ‘G. Eliot’ Romola II. iv. 42 Like a harp of which all the strings had been wrenched away except one. 1884 Manch. Examiner 11 Oct. 5/1 They wrench off cupboard doors to spare themselves the trouble of closing them. figurative.1821 W. Hazlitt Winterslow (1850) x. 174 The revolutionary wheel which has of late wrenched men's understandings almost asunder.1848 E. C. Gaskell Mary Barton I. x. 177 Wrenching up her natural feelings of home.1868 Ld. Tennyson Lucretius 218 It seems some unseen monster lays His..filthy hands upon my will, Wrenching it backward into his.reflexive.1864 C. Dickens Our Mutual Friend (1865) I. i. i. 4 What he had in tow..sometimes seemed to try to wrench itself away.absol. (for refl.)1912 P. A. Talbot In Shadow of Bush xxv. 277 At sight of us she wrenched free. c. Without const. Also figurative. ΚΠ 1655 H. Vaughan Silex Scintillans (ed. 2) ii. 12 Desire that never will be quench'd, Nor can be writh'd, nor wrench'd. 1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Æneis x, in tr. Virgil Wks. 536 To wrench the Darts which in his Buckler light. 1714 ‘N. Ironside’ Orig. Canto Spencer xx. 17 Those honest Hounds..Striving..to wranch the Chain, Which did her tender Limbs to th' Rock upty. 1879 R. Bridges Poems vi. 22 The lazy cows wrench many a scented flower. d. To seize or take forcibly; = wrest v. 4. ΘΚΠ the mind > possession > taking > seizing > seize [verb (transitive)] > with violence or forcibly reaveeOE latchc950 seize1338 rape?1387 wrestc1426 extort1529 redeema1578 wreathe1590 force1602 extend1610 wrencha1616 a1616 W. Shakespeare Macbeth (1623) iii. i. 64 They..put a barren Scepter in my Gripe, Thence to be wrencht with an vnlineall Hand. View more context for this quotation 1796 R. Southey Joan of Arc v. 474 If the iron rod Should one day from Oppression's hand be wrench'd By everlasting Justice! 1810 W. Scott Lady of Lake v. 198 Wrenching from ruin'd lowland swain His herds and harvest. 1832 H. Martineau Ireland vi. 92 Those from whose hands he had wrenched the means of subsistence. 1851 ‘L. Mariotti’ Italy in 1848 13 To wrench from the reluctant hands of diplomacy exceptional modifications of those fatal treaties. 1868 E. Edwards Life Sir W. Ralegh I. ix. 143 Spoils had been wrenched from Spain such as hitherto were almost unexampled. e. To deprive (a person) of something by wrenching or wresting. ΘΚΠ the mind > possession > loss > taking away > take away [verb (transitive)] > deprive (of) > deprive forcibly reaveOE reavec1230 despoilc1300 ravishc1384 violatea1657 wrench1786 1786 R. Burns Poems 172 Till wrench'd of ev'ry stay but Heav'n, He, ruin'd, sink! 7. a. To twist, alter, or change from the right or true form, application, or import; to wrest, pervert, distort. Cf. wrest v. 5. ΘΚΠ the mind > mental capacity > intelligibility > misinterpretation > distortion or perversion of meaning > pervert or distort [verb (transitive)] crooka1340 deprave1382 pervertc1390 strainc1449 drawc1450 miswrest?a1475 bewrya1522 wry?1521 to make a Welshman's hose ofa1529 writhea1533 wrest1533 invert1534 wring?1541 depravate1548 rack1548 violent1549 wrench1549 train1551 wreathe1556 throw1558 detorta1575 shuffle1589 wriggle1593 distortc1595 to put, set, place, etc. on the rack1599 twine1600 wire-draw1610 monstrify1617 screw1628 corrupt1630 gloss1638 torture1648 force1662 vex1678 refract1700 warp1717 to put a force upon1729 twist1821 ply1988 1549 H. Latimer 1st Serm. before Kynges Grace sig. Bvi Wrynching thys text of scrypture..after their owne phantasie. 1549 H. Latimer 1st Serm. before Kynges Grace sig. Bvi^v They wrinch these wordes awry after their owne fantasies. 1589 G. Puttenham Arte Eng. Poesie ii. iv. 63 Let his ryme and concordes be true,..& not darke or wrenched by wrong writing. 1593 G. Harvey Pierces Supererogation 100 Should impertinent secrecies be reuealed;..euery proposition wrinched to the harshest sense? 1641 J. Milton Of Reformation 65 These devout Prelates..for these many years have not ceas't in their Pulpits wrinching, and spraining the text. 1673 J. Milton Sonnets xviii, in Poems (new ed.) 60 [He] in his volumes taught our Lawes, Which others at their Barr so often wrench. 1863 C. C. Clarke Shakespeare-characters viii. 211 They proceeded to wrench that power to the restraining of all dissentients. 1877 A. Winchell Reconcil. Sci. & Relig. xii. 325 It is infinitely better to learn how God really did proceed, than to..wrench our Bible to make it fit a misconception of facts. †b. To derive (a word) by alteration from another. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the mind > language > linguistics > other schools of linguistics > [verb (transitive)] > trace etymology of > in improper or far-fetched manner wresta1599 strain1605 wrench1605 far-fetch1639 1605 W. Camden Remaines i. 61 Lewis, Wrenched from Lodowick, which Tilius interpreteth, Refuge of the people. 8. Coursing. To divert, turn, or bring round (a hare, etc.) at less than a right angle; to rick. ΘΚΠ the world > food and drink > hunting > hunting with hounds > work done by hounds > action of hounds [verb (transitive)] > turn quarry cote1555 serve1575 wrench1622 rick1829 1622 M. Drayton 2nd Pt. Poly-olbion xxiii. 73 When each man..notes Which Dog first turnes the Hare, which first the other coats, They wrench her once or twice, ere she a turne will take. 1839 Laws of Coursing in Youatt Dog (1845) 262 When a dog wrenches or ricks a hare twice following, without losing the lead, it is equal to a turn. 1840 Sportsman II. 216 Wrenched by the one or the other of her pursuers, she seemed every moment almost in the jaws of one of them. 1865 Field 4 Mar. 151/3 Rebe wrenched her hare half a dozen lengths in advance of Master Sweeney. absolute.1876 Coursing Cal. 10 Gardenia shot in front, and..turned; she then wrenched and killed.1886 Field 20 Feb. 227/2 Mr. Dent's dog went up for the kill after wrenching once. †9. a. To drive, impel, or thrust (a weapon) with a twisting movement. Obsolete. rare. ΘΚΠ society > armed hostility > military equipment > operation and use of weapons > use or wield (a weapon) [verb (transitive)] > drive or thrust twistingly wrench1594 1594 T. Kyd tr. R. Garnier Cornelia iv. i. 23 Scipio hath wrencht a sword into hys brest. 1594 T. Kyd tr. R. Garnier Cornelia iv. v. 322 He wrencht it to the pommel through his sides. †b. reflexive. To force (oneself) in among others. Scottish. Obsolete. rare. ΘΚΠ the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > going or coming in > go or come in [verb (reflexive)] > in unwelcome or unwarranted manner ingere1489 ingyre1513 thrust1530 intrude1573 inthrust1605 obtrude1647 wrench1729 purr1879 1729 R. Wodrow Corr. (1843) III. 454 [Such] persons..in a time of party and division, get in where they ought not to be, and when they have wrenched themselves in, talk [etc.]. 10. a. absol. To pull or tug (at something) with a turn or twist. Also figurative and transferred. ΘΚΠ the world > space > place > removal or displacement > remove or displace [verb (transitive)] > by twisting, wrenching, or turning wringc1330 writhea1393 wrya1586 wrench1697 twist1785 1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Æneis xii, in tr. Virgil Wks. 612 Th' incumbent Heroe, wrench'd, and pull'd, and strain'd; But still the stubborn Earth the Steel detain'd. 1858 T. Carlyle Hist. Friedrich II of Prussia II. ix. ix. 488 France has been wrenching and screwing at this Lorraine, wriggling it off bit by bit. 1865 C. Dickens Our Mutual Friend I. ii. xv. 303 He..again grasped the stone..and wrenched at it. 1891 R. Kipling Life's Handicap 245 The water snarled and wrenched and worried at the timber. b. To come out by or as by wrenching. ΘΚΠ the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > going or coming out > go or come out [verb (intransitive)] > by wrenching wrench1903 1903 E. Childers Riddle of Sands viii The lower screw~plate on the stern post had wrenched out. This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1928; most recently modified version published online December 2021). < n.¹c888n.²?c1460v.c1050
随便看	to still forth to still out to sting for to sting someone for to sting to death to sting to the quick to stink aloud to stink in a person's nostrils to stink in nostrils to stink of money to stink out to stink to death to stink to heaven to stink to high heaven to stink with money to stint the strife to stir a finger to stir a peg to stir a person's fudge to shift for oneself to shift hands to shift in the world to shift off to shift one's arse to shift one's ass

† wrenchn.1

wrenchn.2

Compounds

wrenchv.

† wrenchn.¹

wrenchn.²