WRITHE

verb (~d; writhing) Etymology: Middle English, from Old English wrīthan; akin to Old Norse rītha to twist Date: before 12th century transitive verb 1. to twist into coils or folds, to twist so as to distort ; wrench , to twist (the body or a bodily part) in pain, intertwine , intransitive verb to move or proceed with twists and turns , to twist from or as if from pain or struggling, to suffer keenly, ~ noun