wrench

 
Pronunciation: /rɛn(t)ʃ/

noun

  • 1a sudden violent twist or pull: with a wrench Tony wriggled free
  • 2a feeling of sadness or distress caused by one’s own or another’s departure: it will be a real wrench to leave after eight years
  • 3an adjustable tool like a spanner, used for gripping and turning nuts or bolts: you will need a wrench to tighten it in position
  • 4 Mechanics a combination of a couple with a force along its axis.

verb

[with object]
  • 1pull or twist suddenly and violently: Casey grabbed the gun and wrenched it from my hand [with object and complement]: she wrenched herself free of his grip
  • injure (a part of the body) as a result of a sudden twisting movement: she slipped and wrenched her ankle
  • archaic distort to fit a particular theory or interpretation: to wrench our Bible to make it fit a misconception of facts
  • 2turn (something, especially a nut or bolt) with a wrench.

Origin:

late Old English wrencan 'twist', of unknown origin