writhen

[rith-uhn]

adjective

Archaic.

1. twisted.

writhen

/ ˈrɪðən /

verb

1. a past participle of writhe

adjective

1. twisted; distorted

Word History and Origins

Origin of writhen¹

before 900; Middle English, Old English; writhe, -en ²

Example Sentences

They lit a fire in a hollow, down among the roots of a spreading hawthorn, tall as a tree, writhen with age, but hale in every limb.

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Each grain of writhen dust, that drapes That sickly, staring shore, Its old chaotic change of shapes Remembers evermore.

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Methought his detestable features at length enlarged, moved, and were writhen in mockery and scorn.

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Chester Kent stooped over the writhen face, again peering close.

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But it seemed as though by a fire within Her writhen limbs were wrung; And as soon as the King was close to her, She stood up gaunt and strong.

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