distort

 
Pronunciation: /dɪˈstɔːt/

verb

[with object]
  • 1pull or twist out of shape: a grimace distorted her fine mouth
  • [no object] become twisted out of shape: the pipe will distort as you bend it
  • 2give a misleading or false account or impression of: many factors can distort the results
  • 3change the form of (an electrical signal or sound wave) during transmission, amplification, or other processing: you’re distorting the sound by overdriving the amp

Origin:

late 15th century (in the sense 'twist to one side'): from Latin distort- 'twisted apart', from the verb distorquere, from dis- 'apart' + torquere 'to twist'