wring  (rĭng) 
v.
wrung (rŭng), wring·ing, wrings
v.
tr.
To twist, squeeze, or compress, especially so as to extract liquid. Often used with out. To extract (liquid) by twisting or compressing. Often used with out. To wrench or twist forcibly or painfully: wring the neck of a chicken. To clasp and twist or squeeze (one's hands), as in distress. To clasp firmly and shake (another's hand), as in congratulation. To cause distress to; affect with painful emotion: a tale that wrings the heart. To obtain or extract by applying force or pressure: wrung the truth out of the recalcitrant witness.
v.
intr.
To writhe or squirm, as in pain.
n. The act or an instance of wringing; a squeeze or twist.
[Middle English wringen, from Old English wringan; see wer-2 in Indo-European roots.] |
