I. ˈwȯrp noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English wearp; akin to Old High German warf warp, Old English weorpan to throw, Old Norse verpa
Date: before 12th century
1.
a. : a series of yarns extended lengthwise in a loom and crossed by the weft
b. : foundation , base
the warp of the economic structure is agriculture — American Guide Series: North Carolina
2. : a rope for warping or mooring a ship or boat
3.
[ warp (II)]
a. : a twist or curve that has developed in something originally flat or straight
a warp in a door panel
b. : a mental aberration
• warp·age ˈwȯr-pij noun
II. verb
Date: 14th century
transitive verb
1. : to arrange (yarns) so as to form a warp
2.
a. : to turn or twist out of or as if out of shape ; especially : to twist or bend out of a plane
b. : to cause to judge, choose, or act wrongly or abnormally : pervert
c. : distort
intellect and learning… warp ed by prejudices — Irving Wallace
warp s space and time
d. : to deflect from a course
3. : to move (as a ship) by hauling on a line attached to a fixed object
intransitive verb
1. : to become warped
2. : to move a ship by warping
Synonyms: see deform
• warp·er noun