n.
Pronunciation: ' ri ŋ
Function: verb
Inflected Form: wrung \ ' r ə ŋ \ ; wring · ing \ ' ri ŋ -i ŋ \
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English wringan; akin to Old High German ringan to struggle, Lithuanian rengtis to bend down, Old English wyrgan to strangle ― more at WORRY
Date: before 12th century
transitive verb
1 : to squeeze or twist especially so as to make dry or to extract moisture or liquid < wring a towel dry>
2 : to extract or obtain by or as if by twisting and compressing < wring water from a towel> < wring a confession from the suspect>
3 a : to twist so as to strain or sprain into a distorted shape <I could wring your neck> b : to twist together (clasped hands) as a sign of anguish
4 : to affect painfully as if by wringing : TORMENT <a tragedy that wring s the heart>
intransitive verb : SQUIRM , WRITHE
– wring noun