First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
writhe
verb \ˈrīth\
: to twist your body from side to side
writhedwrith·ing
Full Definition of WRITHE
transitive verb
1
a : to twist into coils or folds b : to twist so as to distort : wrench c : to twist (the body or a bodily part) in pain
2
intransitive verb
1
: to move or proceed with twists and turns <writhed to the music>
2
: to twist from or as if from pain or struggling
3
: to suffer keenly
— writhe noun
See writhe defined for English-language learners
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Origin of WRITHE
Middle English, from Old English wrīthan; akin to Old Norse rītha to twist
Related to WRITHE
- Synonyms
- enlace, entwine, implicate [archaic], interlace, intertwist, interweave, inweave, lace, ply, twist, weave, wreathe, intertwine
WRITHING Defined for Kids
writhe
verb \ˈrīth\
writhedwrith·ing
Definition of WRITHE for Kids
: to twist and turn from side to side <She was writhing in pain.>
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