twist (twĭst)

v., twist·ed, twist·ing, twists.

v.tr.

1. 1. To wind together (two or more threads, for example) so as to produce a single strand.
   2. To form in this manner: twist a length of rope from strands of hemp.
2. To wind or coil (vines or rope, for example) about something.
3. To interlock or interlace: twist flowers in one's hair.
4. To make (one's way) in a tortuous manner: twisted my way through the briar patch.
5. To turn so as to face another direction: twisted their heads around at the sound of the doorbell.
6. To impart a spiral or coiling shape to, as by turning the ends in opposite directions: twisting wire into a loop.
7. 1. To turn or open by turning: twisted off the bottle cap.
   2. To pull, break, or snap by turning: twist off a dead branch.
8. To wrench or sprain: twist one's wrist.
9. To alter the normal aspect of; contort: twist one's mouth into a wry smile.
10. To alter or distort the intended meaning of: The cross-examiner twisted the words of the witness. See synonyms at distort.
11. To alter or distort the mental, moral, or emotional character of: The trauma twisted the child's outlook.

v.intr.

1. To be or become twisted.
2. To move or progress in a winding course; meander: The river twisted toward the sea.
3. To squirm; writhe: twist with pain.
4. To rotate or revolve.
5. To dance the twist.
6. To move so as to face in another direction.

n.

1. Something twisted or formed by twisting, especially:
   1. A length of yarn, cord, or thread, especially a strong silk thread used mainly to bind the edges of buttonholes.
   2. Tobacco leaves processed into the form of a rope or roll.
   3. A loaf of bread or other bakery product made from pieces of dough twisted together.
   4. A sliver of citrus peel twisted over or dropped into a beverage for flavoring.
2. The act of twisting or the condition of being twisted; a spin, twirl, or rotation.
3. Sports.
   1. A complete rotation of the body around its vertical axis, as in diving and gymnastics.
   2. A spinning motion given to a ball when thrown or struck in a specific way.
4. 1. The state of being twisted into a spiral; torsional stress or strain.
   2. The degree or angle of torsional stress.
5. 1. A contortion or distortion of the body, especially the face.
   2. A distortion of meaning: gave my words a misleading twist.
6. A sprain or wrench, as of an ankle.
7. A change in direction; a turn: a sharp twist in the path.
8. An unexpected change in a process or a departure from a pattern, often producing a distortion or perversion: a twist of fate; a story with a quirky twist.
9. A personal inclination or eccentricity; a penchant or flaw: an odd twist to his character.
10. A dance characterized by vigorous gyrations of the hips and arms.

idioms:

leave to twist (or leave twisting) in the wind

1. To abandon (someone) to a bad situation, often as a recipient of blame: "If our envoy was so blameless, why had she been left to twist in the wind?" (William Safire).

twist (someone's) arm Slang.

1. To coerce by or as if by physical force: If you twist my arm, I'll stay for a second beer.

[Middle English twisten, to squeeze, be divided, from twist, a divided object, fork, rope, from Old English -twist.]

twistability twist'a·bil'i·ty n.
twistable twist'a·ble adj.
twistingly twist'ing·ly adv.
twisty twist'y adj.

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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

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