I. ˈrī verb
( wried ; wry·ing )
Etymology: Middle English wrien, from Old English wrigian to turn; akin to Middle High German rigel kerchief wound around the head, Greek rhiknos shriveled, Avestan urvisyeiti he turns
Date: 14th century
intransitive verb
: twist , writhe
transitive verb
: to pull out of or as if out of proper shape : make awry
II. adjective
( wry·er ˈrī(-ə)r ; wry·est ˈrī-əst)
Date: 15th century
1. : having a bent or twisted shape or condition
a wry smile
also : turned abnormally to one side
a wry neck
2. : wrongheaded 1
3. : cleverly and often ironically or grimly humorous
• wry·ly ˈrī-lē adverb
• wry·ness noun