contort
[ kuhn-tawrt ]
/ kənˈtɔrt /
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verb (used with object)
to twist, bend, or draw out of shape; distort.
verb (used without object)
to become twisted, distorted, or strained: His face contorted into a grotesque sneer.
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Question 1 of 7
Let’s start with some etymology: What are the origins of the typographical word “bracket”?
First appeared around 1750, and is related to the French word “braguette” for the name of codpiece armor.
First appeared in 1610, based on the French word “baguette” for the long loaf of bread.
First appeared in 1555, and is related to the French word “raquette” for a netted bat.
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Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for contort
British Dictionary definitions for contort
contort
/ (kənˈtɔːt) /
verb
to twist or bend severely out of place or shape, esp in a strained manner
Derived forms of contort
contortive, adjectiveWord Origin for contort
C15: from Latin contortus intricate, obscure, from contorquēre to whirl around, from torquēre to twist, wrench
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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