writhe
[ rahyth ]
/ raɪð /
verb (used without object), writhed, writh·ing.
to twist the body about, or squirm, as in pain, violent effort, etc.
to shrink mentally, as in acute discomfort.
verb (used with object), writhed, writh·ing.
to twist or bend out of shape or position; distort; contort.
to twist (oneself, the body, etc.) about, as in pain.
noun
a writhing movement; a twisting of the body, as in pain.
Nearby words
write-up, writer, writer's block, writer's cramp, writerly, writhe, writhen, writing, writing case, writing desk, writing hand
Origin of writhe
Related formswrith·er, nounwrith·ing·ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for writhe
British Dictionary definitions for writhe
writhe
/ (raɪð) /
verb
to twist or squirm in or as if in pain
(intr) to move with such motions
(intr) to suffer acutely from embarrassment, revulsion, etc
noun
the act or an instance of writhing
Derived Formswrither, noun
Word Origin for writhe
Old English wrīthan; related to Old High German rīdan, Old Norse rītha. See wrath, wreath, wrist, wroth
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for writhe
writhe
Old English wriðan "to twist or bend," earlier "to bind or fetter," from Proto-Germanic *writhanan (cf. North Frisian wrial, Old High German ridan, Old Norse riða, Middle Swedish vriþa, Middle Danish vride), from PIE *wreit- "to turn, bend" (see wreath). Related: Writhed; writhing.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper