n.
- a sudden violent twist or pull.
- a feeling of abrupt pain and distress caused by one's own or another's departure.
- an adjustable tool like a spanner, used for gripping and turning nuts or bolts.
- Mechanics a combination of a couple with a force along its axis.
v.
- pull or twist suddenly and violently.
▸injure (a part of the body) as a result of a sudden twisting movement.
- turn or adjust (a nut or bolt) with a wrench.
- archaic distort (something) to fit a particular theory or interpretation.
Etymology
OE wrencan ‘twist’, of unknown origin.