n.
Pronunciation: ' rench
Function: verb
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English wrencan; akin to Old High German renken to twist and perhaps to Latin vergere to bend, incline
Date: before 12th century
intransitive verb
1 : to move with a violent twist also : to undergo twisting
2 : to pull or strain at something with violent twisting
transitive verb
1 : to twist violently
2 : to injure or disable by a violent twisting or straining < wrench ed her back>
3 : CHANGE especially : DISTORT , PERVERT
4 a : to pull or tighten by violent twisting or with violence b : to snatch forcibly : WREST
5 : to cause to suffer mental anguish : RACK
– wrench · ing · ly \ ' ren-chi ŋ -l ē \ adverb