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twist

Syllabification: (twist)
Pronunciation: /twist/
Translate twist | into French | into German | into Italian | into Spanish
Definition of twist

verb

[with object]
  • 1form into a bent, curling, or distorted shape:a strip of metal is twisted to form a hollow tube her pretty features twisted into a fearsome expression
  • form (something) into a particular shape by taking hold of one or both ends and turning them:she twisted her handkerchief into a knot
  • turn or bend into a specified position or in a specified direction:he grabbed the man and twisted his arm behind his back
  • (twist something off) remove something by pulling and rotating it:beets can be stored once the leaves have been twisted off
  • [no object] move one’s body so that the shoulders and hips are facing in different directions:she twisted in her seat to look at the buildings
  • [no object] move in a wriggling or writhing fashion:he twisted himself free
  • injure (a joint) by wrenching it:he twisted his ankle trying to avoid his opponent’s lunge
  • distort or misrepresent the meaning of (words):he twisted my words to make it seem that I’d claimed she was a drug addict
  • 2cause to rotate around something that remains stationary; turn:she twisted her ring around and around on her finger
  • wind around or through something:she twisted a lock of hair around her finger
  • move or cause to move around each other; interlace:she twisted her hands together nervously the machine twists together strands to make a double yarn
  • make (something) by interlacing or winding strands together.
  • [no object] take or have a winding course:the road twisted through a dozen tiny villages
  • 3 [no object] dance the twist.
  • 4British informal cheat; defraud.

noun

  • 1an act of turning something so that it moves in relation to something that remains stationary:the taps needed a single twist to turn them on
  • an act of turning one’s body or part of one’s body:with a sudden twist, she got away from him
  • (the twist) a dance with a twisting movement of the body, popular in the 1960s.
  • the extent of twisting of a rod or other object.
  • force producing twisting; torque.
  • forward motion combined with rotation about an axis.
  • the rifling in the bore of a gun:barrels with a 1:24 inch twist
  • 2a thing with a spiral shape:a licorice twist
  • a curled piece of lemon peel used to flavor a drink.
  • 3a distorted shape:he had a cruel twist to his mouth
  • an unusual feature of a person’s personality, typically an unhealthy one.
  • 4a point at which something turns or bends:the car negotiated the twists and turns of the mountain road
  • an unexpected development of events:it was soon time for the next twist of fate in his extraordinary career
  • a new treatment or outlook; a variation:she takes conventional subjects and gives them a twist
  • 5a fine strong thread consisting of twisted strands of cotton or silk.
  • 6British a drink consisting of two ingredients mixed together.
  • 7a carpet with a tightly curled pile.

Phrases

twist someone's arm

informal persuade someone to do something that they are or might be reluctant to do.

twist in the wind

be left in a state of suspense or uncertainty.

twist someone around one's little finger

twists and turns

intricate or convoluted dealings or circumstances:the twists and turns of her political career

Origin:

Old English (as a noun), of Germanic origin; probably from the base of twin and twine. Current verb senses date from late Middle English

twist in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of twist in the British & World English dictionary
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