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| Date: | 1300-1400 |
| Language: | Old English |
| Origin: | twist 'rope' |
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twist1 S3
1
move
[intransitive and transitive]a) to turn a part of your body around or change your position by turning :
b) if you twist your mouth or features, you smile in an unpleasant way or look angry, disapproving etc :
2 to bend or turn something, such as wire, hair, or cloth, into a particular shape
bend
[transitive]3 to wind something around or through an object
wind
[transitive always + adverb/preposition] twist something round/around/through etc something She twisted a silk scarf round her neck. Ann twisted some daisies through Katherine's thick brown hair.
She twisted a silk scarf round her neck.Ann twisted some daisies through Katherine's thick brown hair.4 to turn something in a circle using your hand
turn
[transitive]5 if a road, river etc twists, it changes direction in a series of curves : The road twisted between spectacular mountains.
road/river
[intransitive]The road twisted between spectacular mountains.6 to change the true or intended meaning of a statement, especially in order to get some advantage for yourself :
words
[transitive]7 to hurt your wrist etc by pulling or turning it too suddenly while you are moving : Harriet slipped on the stairs and twisted her ankle.
twist your ankle/wrist/knee
Harriet slipped on the stairs and twisted her ankle.8
twist and turn
a) if a path, road, stream etc twists and turns, it has a lot of bends in it : The river twists and turns through the green fields.
The river twists and turns through the green fields.b) if a person or animal twists and turns, they make twisting movements
9
twist somebody's arm
a) informal to persuade someone to do something they do not want to do : No one twisted my arm about coming to see you.
No one twisted my arm about coming to see you.b) to bend someone's arm upwards behind their back in order to hurt them : The policeman twisted my arm behind me and arrested me.
The policeman twisted my arm behind me and arrested me.➔ twist/wrap somebody around your little finger
at finger1 (8)➔ twist the knife (in the wound)
at knife1 (3)WORD FOCUS: changeWORD FOCUS: change to change something: alter, adapt, adjust, amend, modify, revise, vary
to change a system or organization: restructure, reorganize, reform
to change something completely: transform, revolutionize
to change facts or information, or change what someone has said: twist, distort, misrepresent
easily changed: flexible, adaptable
impossible to change: fixed, final, irrevocable
➔ See also change
