n. 1 the part connecting the hand with the forearm. 2 the corresponding part in an animal. 3 the part of a garment covering the wrist. 4 a (in full wrist-work) the act or practice of working the hand without moving the arm. b the effect got in fencing, ball games, sleight of hand, etc., by this. 5 (in full wrist-pin) Mech. a stud projecting from a crank etc. as an attachment for a connecting-rod. wrist-drop the inability to extend the hand through paralysis of the forearm muscles. wrist-watch a small watch worn on a strap round the wrist.
[ OE f. Gmc, prob. f. a root rel. to WRITHE ]