November 6, 2024

writhe

Date:

Share post:

DEFINITION

verb
1. to move or proceed with twists and turns;
2. to twist from or as if from pain or struggling;
3. to suffer keenly.

EXAMPLES
1. After falling off the ladder, James lay on the ground, writhing in pain.
2. “Now Revel is trying to attract more people with features such as the ‘DigiPit,’ a performance space on the gambling floor where acrobats writhe and tumble in front of the people playing on digital gaming machines.” — From an article by Adrienne Raphel on The New Yorker’s Currency blog, November 25, 2013.

DID YOU KNOW?
“Writhe” wound its way to English from the Old English verb “wrīthan” (“to twist”) and is akin to the Old English verb “wrigian” (“to turn or go”). “Wrigian” gave us our words “wriggle,” “awry,” and “wry.” When something wriggles it twists from side to side with quick movements, like an earthworm. When something goes awry, its twists or winds off course, or toward catastrophe. “Wry” can mean “bent or twisted” but now usually implies clever, ironic humor. Nowadays, “writhe” often suggests the physical contortions one makes when enduring crippling pain or when trying to extract oneself from a tight grasp (as an animal from a predator’s claws). Alternatively, it can imply an emotionally wrenching feeling (as of grief or fear) from which one seeks relief.

Previous article
Next article
Keekli Bureau
Keekli Bureau
Dear Reader, we are dedicated to delivering unbiased, in-depth journalism that seeks the truth and amplifies voices often left unheard. To continue our mission, we need your support. Every contribution, no matter the amount, helps sustain our research, reporting and the impact we strive to make. Join us in safeguarding the integrity and transparency of independent journalism. Your support fosters a free press, diverse viewpoints and an informed democracy. Thank you for supporting independent journalism.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Related articles

9th Rabindranath Tagore Memorial Lecture at IIAS Shimla

The Indian Institute of Advanced Study (IIAS) in Shimla hosted the prestigious 9th Rabindranath Tagore Memorial Lecture (RTML)...

HP Daily News Bulletin 05/11/2024

HP Daily News Bulletin 05/11/2024https://youtu.be/vHnyJ6Jv5iEHP Daily News Bulletin 05/11/2024

Mukesh Agnihotri Emphasizes Infrastructure Enhancement for Cooperative Institutions in Himachal

Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri while chairing a review meeting of the Cooperative Department said that Himachal has...

New Facilities for State Tourism Hotels – HPTDC

Presiding over the meeting of Board of Directors (BoD) of Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation here today, Chairman...