twist

v. & n.
—v.
1 a tr. change the form of by rotating one end and not the other or the two ends in opposite directions. b intr. undergo such a change; take a twisted position (twisted round in his seat). c tr. wrench or pull out of shape with a twisting action (twisted my ankle).
2 tr. a wind (strands etc.) about each other. b form (a rope etc.) by winding the strands. c (foll. by with, in with) interweave. d form by interweaving or twining.
3 a tr. give a spiral form to (a rod, column, cord, etc.) as by rotating the ends in opposite directions. b intr. take a spiral form.
4 tr. (foll. by off) break off or separate by twisting.
5 tr. distort or misrepresent the meaning of (words).
6 a intr. take a curved course. b tr. make (one's way) in a winding manner.
7 tr. Brit. colloq. cheat (twisted me out of pound20).
8 tr. cause (the ball, esp. in billiards) to rotate while following a curved path.
9 tr. (as twisted adj.) (of a person or mind) emotionally unbalanced.
10 intr. dance the twist.
—n.
1 the act or an instance of twisting.
2 a a twisted state. b the manner or degree in which a thing is twisted.
3 a thing formed by or as by twisting, esp. a thread or rope etc. made by winding strands together.
4 the point at which a thing twists or bends.
5 usu. derog. a peculiar tendency of mind or character etc.
6 an unexpected development of events, esp. in a story etc.
7 a fine strong silk thread used by tailors etc.
8 a roll of bread, tobacco, etc., in the form of a twist.
9 Brit. a paper packet with screwed-up ends.
10 a curled piece of lemon etc. peel to flavour a drink.
11 a spinning motion given to a ball in cricket etc. to make it take a special curve.
12 a a twisting strain. b the amount of twisting of a rod etc., or the angle showing this. c forward motion combined with rotation about an axis.
13 Brit. a drink made of two ingredients mixed together.
14 Brit. colloq. a swindle.
15 (prec. by the) a dance with a twisting movement of the body, popular in the 1960s.
Phrases and idioms:
round the twist Brit. sl. crazy. twist a person's arm colloq. apply coercion, esp. by moral pressure. twist round one's finger see FINGER.
Derivatives:
twistable adj. twisty adj. (twistier, twistiest).
Etymology: ME, rel. to TWIN, TWINE