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¹twist

verb \ˈtwist\

: to bend or turn (something) in order to change its shape

: to bend or turn (something) into a shape or position that is not normal or natural

: to turn (something) in a circular motion with your hand

Full Definition of TWIST

transitive verb

a : to unite by winding <twisting strands together>

b : to make by twisting strands together <twist thread from yarn>

c : to mingle by interlacing

: twine, coil

a : to wring or wrench so as to dislocate or distort; especially : sprain <twisted my ankle>

b : to alter the meaning of : distort, pervert <twisted the facts>

c : contort <twisted his face into a grin>

d : to pull off, turn, or break by torsion <twist the nut off the bolt>

e : to cause to move with a turning motion <twisted her chair to face the fire>

f : to form into a spiral shape

g : to cause to take on moral, mental, or emotional deformity <celebrity has twisted their sense of decorum>

h : to make (one's way) in a winding or devious manner to a destination or objective

intransitive verb

: to follow a winding course : snake

a : to turn or change shape under torsion

b : to assume a spiral shape

c : squirm, writhe

d : to dance the twist

of a ball : to rotate while taking a curving path or direction

: turn 3a <twisted around to see behind him>

— twist in the wind

: to be left to face a difficult situation without support or help

— twist one's arm

: to bring strong pressure to bear on one

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Origin of TWIST

Middle English, probably from Middle Dutch twisten, from twist twine, discord, quarrel; akin to Old English -twist (in candeltwist candlesnuffers, mæsttwist twin support for a mast), Middle English twisten to be forked, Middle High German zwist quarrel, Old English twi- twi-

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to TWIST

Synonyms: bend, color, cook, distort, falsify, fudge, misinterpret, misrelate, misrepresent, misstate, pervert, slant, garble, warp

²twist

noun

: an act of turning or twisting

: a turn, curve, or bend in a road, river, etc.

: an unexpected or strange occurrence

Full Definition of TWIST

: something formed by twisting or winding: as

a : a thread, yarn, or cord formed by twisting two or more strands together

b : a strong tightly twisted sewing silk

c : a baked piece of twisted dough

d : tobacco leaves twisted into a thick roll

e : a strip of citrus peel used to flavor a drink

a : an act of twisting : the state of being twisted

b : a dance performed with strenuous gyrations especially of the hips

c : the spin given the ball in any of various games

d : a spiral turn or curve

e (1) : torque or torsional stress applied to a body (as a rod or shaft) (2) : torsional strain (3) : the angle through which a thing is twisted

a : a turning off a straight course

b : eccentricity, idiosyncrasy

c : a distortion of meaning or sense

a : an unexpected turn or development <weird twists of fate — W. L. Shirer>

b : a clever device : trick <questions demanding special twists of thinking — New Yorker>

c : a variant approach or method : gimmick <a kind of twist on the old triangle theme — Dave Fedo>

: a front or back dive in which the diver twists sideways a half or full turn before entering the water

— twisty \ˈtwis-tē\ adjective

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