— wrencher , n. — wrenchingly , adv.
/rench/ , v.t.
1. to twist suddenly and forcibly; pull, jerk, or force by a violent twist: He wrenched the prisoner's wrist.
2. to overstrain or injure (the ankle, knee, etc.) by a sudden, violent twist: When she fell, she wrenched her ankle.
3. to affect distressingly as if by a wrench.
4. to wrest, as from the right use or meaning: to wrench the facts out of context.
v.i.
5. to twist, turn, or move suddenly aside: He wrenched away.
6. to give a wrench or twist at something.
n.
7. a wrenching movement; a sudden, violent twist: With a quick wrench, she freed herself.
8. a painful, straining twist, as of the ankle or wrist.
9. a sharp, distressing strain, as to the feelings.
10. a twisting or distortion, as of meaning.
11. a tool for gripping and turning or twisting the head of a bolt, a nut, a pipe, or the like, commonly consisting of a bar of metal with fixed or adjustable jaws.
[ bef. 1050; ME wrenchen (v.), OE wrencan to twist, turn; c. G renken ]
Syn. 4. distort, twist, warp.