contortionist
[kuh n-tawr-shuh-nist]
- a person who performs gymnastic feats involving contorted postures.
- a person who practices contortion: a verbal contortionist.
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Origin of contortionist
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for contortionist
Contemporary Examples
Inside the “Love” window Elphresh the contortionist elf dances in from of a gold boom-box and 9-foot chrome mushrooms.
Historical Examples
For there, standing in the center of the room was the Contortionist, "limbering up."
Continuous VaudevilleWill M. Cressy
It is not necessary to be a contortionist, nor will it answer to be an ossified freak.
Riding and DrivingEdward L. Anderson
In addition to my training as contortionist I was being trained as gymnast.
The Autobiography of a ClownIsaac Frederick Marcosson
This stranger was a contortionist, there could be no question about that now.
White FireRoy J. Snell
He hoped that, by this time, they had succeeded in shaking the contortionist off their trail.
White FireRoy J. Snell
contortionist
- a performer who contorts his body for the entertainment of others
- a person who twists or warps meaning or thoughtsa verbal contortionist
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Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for contortionist
n.
1841, from contortion + -ist.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper