wrench

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   To pull or twist something suddenly and violently.

   She wrenched the door open and ran outside.

2. 2
   verb

   To injure a part of your body by twisting it suddenly.

   Be careful not to wrench your ankle on those loose stones.

3. 3
   noun

   A sudden, violent twisting or pulling movement.

   With a sharp wrench, he tore the branch from the tree.

4. 4
   noun

   A feeling of pain or sadness at leaving someone or something.

   Saying goodbye to her hometown was a real wrench.

Common collocations

• adjustable wrench Adjective + noun
• torque wrench Noun + noun
• monkey wrench Noun + noun
• tap wrench Noun + noun

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

Topics

External links

• Cambridge Dictionary
• Wiktionary
• Google Images