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writhing - 2 dictionary results

writhe

  [rahyth] verb, writhed, writh⋅ing, noun
Use writhing in a Sentence
–verb (used without object)
1. to twist the body about, or squirm, as in pain, violent effort, etc.
2. to shrink mentally, as in acute discomfort.
–verb (used with object)
3. to twist or bend out of shape or position; distort; contort.
4. to twist (oneself, the body, etc.) about, as in pain.
–noun
5. a writhing movement; a twisting of the body, as in pain.
Origin:
bef. 900; ME writhen (v.), OE wrīthan to twist, wind; c. ON rītha to knit, twist; akin to wreath, wry

Related forms:
writher, noun
writh⋅ing⋅ly, adverb

Synonyms:
1. thresh, flail, contort, wriggle.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To writhing
writhe   (rīth)   
v.   writhed, writh·ing, writhes

v.   intr.
  1. To twist, as in pain, struggle, or embarrassment.
  2. To move with a twisting or contorted motion.
  3. To suffer acutely.
v.   tr.
To cause to twist or squirm; contort.
n.  The act or an instance of writhing; a contortion.

[Middle English writhen, from Old English wrīthan; see wer-2 in Indo-European roots.]
writh'er n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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