wrench

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a sharp strain on muscles or ligaments

   The wrench to me knee occurred as I fell.

2. 2
   verb

   twist suddenly so as to sprain

   wrench one's ankle

3. 3
   verb

   twist or pull violently or suddenly, especially so as to remove (something) from that to which it is attached or from where it originates

   wrench a window off its hinges

4. 4
   noun

   A movement that twists or pulls violently; a tug.

   With a wrench, which threw his victim back upon the bed as though hurled from a height, he turned and sprang at us.

5. 5
   noun

   means; contrivance

   But weighing one thing with another he gave Britain for lost; but resolved to make his profit of this business of Britain, as a quarrel for war; and that of Naples, as a wrench and mean for peace

6. 6
   verb

   To pull or twist violently.

   With a surge of adrenaline, she wrenched the car door off and pulled out the injured man.

7. 7
   verb

   To injure (a joint) by pulling or twisting.

   Be careful not to wrench your ankle walking along those loose stones!

8. 8
   verb

   To rack with pain; to make hurt or distressed.

   And what actinic, mind-wrenching form could the countermeme take? How could human hands assemble something so devastatingly powerful and hold it steady; what human mind could wield it without exploding from the inside out?

Etymology

From Middle English wrench, from Old English wrenċ, from Proto-Germanic *wrankiz, from Proto-Indo-European *wreng- (“to turn”). Compare German Rank (“plot, intrigue”).