v. & n.
v.tr. 1 force or wrench away from a person's grasp. 2 (foll. by from) obtain by effort or with difficulty. 3 distort into accordance with one's interests or views (wrest the law to suit themselves).
n. archaic a key for tuning a harp or piano etc. wrest-block (or -plank) the part of a piano or harpsichord holding the wrest-pins. wrest-pin each of the pins to which the strings of a piano or harpsichord are attached.
[ OE wrstan f. Gmc, rel. to WRIST ]