Definition of: twist

(twist) v.t.
1. To wind (strands, etc.) around each other.
2. To form by such winding: to twist thread.
3. To give spiral, circular, or semicircular form to, as by turning at either end.
4. To force out of natural shape; distort or contort.
5. To distort the meaning of.
6. To confuse; perplex.
7. To wreathe, twine, or wrap.
8. To cause to revolve or rotate.
9. To impart spin to (a ball) so that it moves in a curve.
—v.i.
10. To become twisted.
11. To move in a winding course; meander or bend.
12. To squirm; writhe.
—noun
1. The act, manner, or result of twisting or turning on an axis.
2. The state of being twisted.
3. Physics a A torsional strain. b The angle of torsion, as of a rod or bar.
4. A curve; turn; bend; winding: This path is full of twists and turns.
5. A contortion or twisting of a facial or bodily feature: a smile with a certain twist.
6. A wrench; strain, as of a joint or limb: He fell and gave his ankle a twist.
7. A peculiar or perverted inclination, bent, or attitude: the twist of a criminal's mind.
8. A distortion; deviation; wresting: a twist of meaning.
9. Thread or cord made of tightly twisted or braided strands.
10. Naut. One of the strands of a rope.
11. A twisted roll of bread.
12. Tobacco twisted in the form of a large cord.
13. In baseball, billiards, tennis, etc.: a A spin or whirling motion given to a ball by a certain stroke or throw. b The stroke or throw producing such a spin. c The act or knack of imparting such a spin. [ME twisten divide in two, combine two, prob. <OE -twist a rope, as in mœst–twist a rope to stay a mast <twi- double <twa two] Synonyms (verb): bend, contort, crook, encircle, entwine, twine, wreathe. To twist is to bend a thing somewhat spirally upon itself. To twine is to bend it around some other object. Wrestlers twine their arms about each other, but if a combatant's arm is twisted it is likely to disable him. An iron shaft may be twisted out of shape, but not twined; the groove of a rifle barrel is twisted, not twined; a wreath is twined around one's temples, but not twisted. Compare BEND, PERVERT.