Definition of wrest

< wren tit

wrestle >

wrest    (rst) KEY 

TRANSITIVE VERB:
wrest·ed, wrest·ing, wrests

1. To obtain by or as if by pulling with violent twisting movements: wrested the book out of his hands; wrested the islands from the settlers.
2. To usurp forcefully: wrested power from the monarchy.
3. To extract by or as if by force, twisting, or persistent effort; wring: wrest the meaning from an obscure poem.
4. 1. To distort or twist the nature or meaning of: wrested the words out of context.
   2. To divert to an improper use; misapply.

NOUN:

1. The act of wresting.
2. Music A small tuning key for the wrest pins of a stringed instrument.

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ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English wresten, from Old English wrstan, to twist; see wer-² in Indo-European roots

OTHER FORMS:
wrester(Noun)