Forms: α. 1 wræstan, 3–4 wresten, 5 -yn, -on, 4–6 wreste, 4– wrest (7 rest); 6–7 wreast(e, 6 Sc. wreist (9 reist), 6 wryst(e, Sc. wrist. β. north. 4 wraist(e, 5–6 wrayste. γ. 4–6 wrast, wraste. Pa. t. 3–5 wraste; (also pa. pple.) 4–5 wrast, 5 wraiste, wrest; 4 wraisted, wrastid (etc.), 6– wrested. [OE. wrǽstan, = ON. *wreista (ONorw. and Icel. reista; MDa. vreste, Da. vriste):—*wraistjan, related to WRIST.
The northern forms with ai, ay, are directly ad. ON. *wreista.]
I. 1. trans. To subject (something) to a twisting movement; to turn or twist. Also with advs., as about, away, round.
α. a. 1000. Sal. & Sat., 95 (Gr.). T … hine … on ða tungan sticað, wræsteð him ðæt woddor, and him ða wongan brieceð.
c. 1205. Lay., 7532. Julius hit wraste & þat sweord stike feste.
c. 1330. R. Brunne, Chron. Wace, 3194. Hur fyngres sche wrast, þe blod out brak. Sche tremblede.
1398. Trevisa, Barth. De P. R., XVIII. ix. (Bodl. MS.), fol. 248/2. Þe poette seiþ þat serpente wraste his owne white heed backeward.
a. 1425. Cursor M., 7510 (Trin.). I shook hem bi þe berdes so þat her chaules I wraste in two.
c. 1440. Promp. Parv., 533/2. Wrestyn, and wrythyn a-ȝen, reflecto.
1548. Elyot, Intorquere mentum, to writhe or wreste the chynne.
1599. Hakluyt, Voy., II. I. 272. A small rod of siluer … which is wrested, so that the two ends meet.
1603. Holland, Plutarch’s Mor., 148. A shoe is wrested and turned according to the fashion of a crooked or splay-foot.
1676. Marvell, Gen. Councils, Wks. (Grosart), III. 153. The heliotrope flower … wrests its neck in turning after the warm sun.
1733. Tull, Horse-Hoeing Husb., xiv. 193. A Rope … which they bring over the Top of all the loaded Sheets, and wrest it at the Tail [of each waggon].
1893. F. Thompson, Poems, 59. He wrested o’er the rhymer’s head * that garmenting which wrought him wrong.
transf. 1601. Holland, Pliny, I. 105. Notwithstanding all these barres, within which he [sc. a mountain-range] is pent, twined, and wrested.
β, γ. a. 1425. trans. Arderne’s Treat. Fistula, etc., 9. Wraistyng þe skynne atuyx þe tewel & þe fistule.
a. 1500[?]. Chester Pl., xvi. 547. This Caytyfe … shall be wronge wrast, or I wend away.
1570. Levins, Manip., 203. To wrayste, torquere.
† b. To screw or turn (the pin or pins of a musical instrument) so as to tighten or tune the strings; to tune or tighten (a stringed instrument, its wires, etc.) by means of a wrest. Also with up. Occas. in fig. context.
a. 1000. Bi Manna Wyrdum, 82 (Gr.). Sum sceal mid hearpan æt his hlafordes fotum sittan,… & a snellice snere wræstan, lætan scralletan.
c. 1380. Wyclif, Wks. (1880), 340. An harpe haþe þre partis,… þe ouermost in which ben stringis wrastid. Ibid., 341. And sorowe of trespasse aȝeyns hem ten [sc. strings] shal wraste þis harpe to a-corde welle.
c. 1440. Promp. Parv., 533. Wreston, plecto.
1504. Cornishe, in Skelton’s Wks. (1568), Z vj. The claricord hath a tunely kynde As the wyre is wrested hye and lowe.
1581. Pettie, Guazzo’s Civ. Conv., II. (1586), 117. Our lyfe is like to instruments of Musicke, which sometime wresting vp the strings and sometime by loosing them, become more melodious.
1587. Greene, Tritam., II. Siluestro … had almost made Lacena peeuish, fearing if he wrested not the pin to a right key, his melody would be marred.
1615. Swetnam, Arraignm. Wom., 19. As fidlers do their strings, who wrest them so high [etc.].
fig. 13[?]. E. E. Allit. P., B. 1166. Þat wakned his wrath & wrast hit so hyȝe, Þat [etc.].
1430–40. Lydg., Bochas, VI. 423. Of an harpe he herde the sueete soun. Which instrument … Wrestid hym ageyn to al gladnesse.
1584. Greene, Mirr. Modestie (1866), 19. The Judges … by the power of the law thought to wrest hir vpon a higher pin.
1599. Nashe, Lenten Stuffe, Wks. (Grosart), V. 232. Rouze thy spirites … and wrest them vp to the most outstretched ayry straine of elocution.
† c. To put or set in with a twisting or tortuous movement; to insert or introduce in this manner. Chiefly fig. Obs.
1597. Morley, Introd. Mus., 120. He can do nothing else in musik but wrest & wring in hard points vpon a plainsong.
1606. Chapman, Gentl. Usher, III. ii. 450. Theres a fine word now; wrest in that if you can by any meanes.
1690. C. Nesse, O. & N. Test., I. 109. If the subtle serpent can but see a hole to wrest in his head.
2. To pull, pluck, drag away, or detach (a person or thing) with a wrench or twist; to twist, tear, or wrench out, etc. Also with advs., as aside, forth, off, out, whence, or preps., as off, out of, and esp. from.
α. 1297. R. Glouc. (Rolls), 4309. Bineþe þe nekke he him nom, & wraste him adoun of is hors.
1303. R. Brunne, Handl. Synne, 6195. Þe lyd vp sone þey wraste.
1387. Trevisa, Higden, V. 181. Fyve knyȝtes myȝte not wreste the rope out of his hond.
14[?]. Sir Beues (M.), 190. Wyth that syr Guy his swerde out wrasted.
c. 1450. Lovelich, Grail, xiv. 670. Hym from his hors anon he wraste.
1590. Spenser, F. Q., III. xii. 33. From her … The wicked weapon rashly he did wrest.
a. 1661. Fuller, Worthies, III. (1662), 197. He also then assisted Henry Bull … to wrest … out of the hands of the Choristers, the Censer.
1698. T. Froger, Voy., 33. Young girls … could not be wrested from them [sc. apes] without a great deal of difficulty.
1724. C. L., St. Taffy’s Day, 37. Brass Knockers strong, from Doors fierce wresting.
1778, etc. [see WREST sb.2].
1821. Scott, Kenilw., xxii. Foster … wrested the flask from her hand.
1877. R. Ellis, trans. Catullus, lxii. 21. Thou from a mother’s arms canst wrest her daughter asunder.
transf. 13[?]. E. E. Allit. P., B. 1802. He was corsed for his vn-clannes,… & of þyse worldes worchyp wrast out for euer.
1886. Flor. Marryat, Tom Tiddler’s G., 173. I procured a bed, whence I was wrested at an unearthly hour the next morning.
refl. 1686. trans. Chardin’s Trav. Persia, 163. In another Condition, I should … have wrested my self out of their Clutches Scotfree.
β, γ. a. 1300. Cursor M., 3466. He þat on þe right side lai Þe toþer him wraisted oft away.
13[?]. E. E. Allit. P., C. 80. Þay … Wryþe me in a warlok, wrast out myn yȝen.
c. 1400. St. Alexius (Cotton), 316. He hyllde his hand so faste, That owte he myght hit [sc. a leaf] natt wrast.
1596. Spenser, F. Q., V. xii. 21. His yron axe … by no meanes … backe againe he forth could wrast.
b. fig. and in fig. context.
1513. More, Rich. III. (1883), 24. Suche euyll oppinyon once fastened in mennes hartes hard it is to wraste oute, and maye growe [etc.].
1526. Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W., 1531), 88 b. That our holynes, deuocyon, & good religyon … wrast vs not from the fauour of God.
1587. Harrison, England, II. ii. (1877), I. 53. Being sore grieued, that she had … wrested out such a verdict against him.
1693. Prior, To Dr. Sherlock, 44. You wrest the Bolt from Heav’ns avenging Hand.
1769. Robertson, Chas. V., XI. Wks. 1813, III. 350. Unfortunate Princes from whose hands some strong rival had wrested their sceptre.
1796. Wordsw., Borderers, 1617. I yielded up those precious hopes, which nought On earth could else have wrested from me.
1825. Macaulay, Ess., Milton, ¶ 81. He had been wrested by no common deliverer from the grasp of no common foe.
1846. Landor, Imag. Conv., Wks. II. 47. Single states are poor props: but who can wrest out Germany?
† c. To force (a person) out of something. Obs.–1
c. 1440. York Myst., xxxi. 26. He is wraiste of his witte or will of his wone.
† d. transf. To press or force out (sounds, etc.); to emit or utter, esp. with difficulty. Obs.
c. 1402. Lydg., Compl. Bl. Knt., 48. The nyghtyngale … her voys gan oute wrest.
c. 1502. Joseph Arim., 388. In May, whan the nightyngale Wrestes out her notes musycall.
1576. Whetstone, Rocke of Regard, II. 116. To wreast out this following complaint.
1583. Melbancke, Philotimus, H j. The poore gentlewoman not able to wreste out one worde for weepinge.
† e. With forth. To pass or spend (time) in pain or distress. Obs. rare–1.
1577. Grange, Golden Aphrod., D iij. With many a sobbing sighe … he wrested foorth the tedious night.
† 3. To turn or dispose (some one, his heart) to a person or thing; to incline or influence (a person, etc.) to do something. Obs.
13[?]. Gaw. & Gr. Knt., 1482. Wyȝe þat is so wel wrast alway to god.
c. 1374. Chaucer, Troylus, IV. 1427. Fynally he gan his herte wreste To trusten here.
1426. Lydg., De Guil Pilgr., 7739. He brydlede hem, & dyde hem wreste, Whateuere they herde, to sey the beste.
c. 1440. York Myst., xi. 137. If thai with wrang ought walde þe wrayste Owte of all wothis I sall þe were.
1579. E. Hake, Newes out of Powles (1872), B ij. Ofte tymes by force they wrest and wring him to their handes.
1592. Greene, Repentance, Wks. (Grosart), XII. 157. A yong man is like a tender plant, apt to be wrested by nurture either to good or euill.
1603. J. Davies (Heref.), Microcosmos, Wks. (Grosart), I. 51/2. A sweete-sowre thing (Which may the Sov’raign wrest, the subiect wring) Call’d Lieges’-loue abus’d.
a. 1618. Raleigh, Prerog. Parl. (1628), 23. To wrest the King, and to draw the inheritance vpon himselfe, hee perswaded his Majestie to relinquish his enterest.
† b. To move (the mind, attention, etc.) from a settled state or an object; to unsettle, unfix; to divert to something else. Obs.
a. 1400–50. Wars Alex., 4622. Ouir wild [= will] is many ways wraiste, as þe wedire skiftis.
1423. James I., Kingis Q., x. Langer slepe ne rest Ne myght I nat, so were my wittis wrest.
1567. Gude & Godlie B. (S.T.S.), 70. We gloir for to speik of Christ:… Bot far fra him our hartis we wreist.
1570. B. Googe, Pop. Kingd., Pref. B ij b. They … carefully wrest their mind hither and thither, to obtaine the forgiuenesse of their sinnes.
1609. Ld. Brooke, Mustapha, III. i. Who wrests his princes mind Presents his faith vpon the stage of chance.
1646. J. Hall, Horæ Vac., 788. Whereas Ariosto will … wrest his [sc. a reader’s] Attention to a new businesse.
c. poet. To draw aside, divert (a look).
1738. J. G. Cooper, Father’s Advice to his Son, iii. The father’s eyes no object wrested, But on the smiling prattler hung.
4. To usurp, arrogate, or take by force (power, a right, etc.); to assume forcibly (a dignity or office); to seize, capture or take (lands, dominion, etc.) from another or others: a. Const. away, from (also in early use with dative), out of, † into, upon.
In very frequent use (esp. with from) since c. 1820.
1426. Audelay, Poems, 23. He syȝ the Trinyte apere within his body clere, then enterd in hym envy, Whan he hade seyne this gloryis syȝt, He wolde wrast hym his myȝt.
1576. Fleming, Panopl. Epist., 15. I was very muche grieued … that the triumphe which most iustly you did deserue, was so wrongfully wrested from you.
1609. Bible (Douay), 2 Macc. iv. 24. He … wrested the high priesthood upon him self.
1660. T. M., Hist. Independ., IV. 13. The English affairs and Government being thus wrested into the hands of a few desperate persons.
1682. Burnet, Rights Princes, iii. 96. The Popes had so strugled to wrest the Investitures out of the hands of the Princes of the West.
1702. Rowe, Tamerl., IV. i. Oh! teach my Power To cure those Ills,… Lest Heav’n should wrest it from my idle Hand.
1769. Robertson, Chas. V., II. Wks. 1813, V. 261. The emperors, too feeble to wrest them out of their hands, were obliged to grant the clergy fiefs of those ample territories.
1838. Prescott, Ferd. & Is. (1846), I. vi. 294. The rights, thus wrested from the grasp of Rome.
1879. Froude, Cæsar, xxii. 384. They had gradually wrested his authority out of his hands.
fig. and in fig. context. 1549. Coverdale, etc., Erasm. Par. Rom. 32. They … through their strength in faith … wreste out with strong hande the benediccion of God.
1671. Milton, P. R., I. 470. Thou hast … urg’d me hard with doings, which not will But misery hath rested from me.
1830. Herschel, Study Nat. Philosophy, I. i. 3. The spoils of all nature are … wrested with reluctance, from the mine, the forest, the ocean, and the air.
1834. L. Ritchie, Wand. by Seine, 5. To wrest a territory from the sea.
1890. ‘R. Boldrewood,’ Miner’s Right (1899), 163/2. I had wrested from fortune her favours and smiles.
b. Rarely without const.
1535. Coverdale, Prol., ¶ 24. Lest thou, wrest the righte of the straunger.
1624. Quarles, Job Militant, Wks. (Grosart), II. 87/1. He shall returne, what he did wrest.
1642. Fuller, Holy & Prof. St., III. xxv. 230. The great means of the Clergie in time of Popery was rather wrested then given.
absol. 1582. C. Fetherstone, Dial. agst. Dancing, A 4. The extorcioner wresteth and wringeth, to the ende he may augment his gaines.
a. 1618. Raleigh, Prerog. Parl. (1628), 19. The Lords being to strong for the King, forced his consent…. They wrested too much beyond the bounds of reason.
c. To obtain or gain (money, information, etc.) by extortion, persistency, or strong persuasion; to wring; = SCREW v. 5. Also with advs., as out, or preps., as from, out of.
1565. Cooper, Thesaurus, s.v. Extorqueo, Thou diddest wreste … from Ceasar, 50. talentes. Ibid., Veritatem extorquere,… to wreste out the truth.
1592. Greene, Disput., 12. Boon Companions, that by their wittes can wrest mony from a Churle.
1601. Mountjoy, in Moryson Itin. (1617), III. 149. I should have wrested out of him [sc. a prisoner] the certainty of all things.
1624. Termes de la Ley, 185 b. Exaction is where an Officer or other man demandeth and wresteth a fee … where no fee … is due at all.
1655. Fuller, Ch. Hist., II. 91. At last she wrested leave from her Husband to live a Nun.
1671. Milton, Samson, 384. Did not she … reveal The secret wrested from me?
1797. Mrs. Radcliffe, Italian, xvii. Your obstinacy can neither wrest from us the truth nor pervert it.
1848. Dickens, Dombey, xlii. She battled with herself…, but he wrested the answer from her.
1856. Emerson, Eng. Traits, Truth, ad fin. Tortures … could never wrest from an Egyptian the confession of a secret.
transf. 1591. Spenser, Ruines of Time, 486. Deepelie muzing at her doubtfull speach, Whose meaning much I labored foorth to wreste.
5. To strain or overstrain the meaning or bearing of (a writing, passage, word, etc.); to deflect or turn from the true or proper signification; to twist, pervert; = WRENCH v. 7, SCREW v. 3 c.
In very freq. use c. 1575–c. 1700. An earlier example is implied under WRESTING vbl. sb. 2.
α. a. 1533. Frith, Boke (1548), C iiij b. Sophisters wolde wrest their sayinges, and expounde them after their fantasy.
1581. Mulcaster, Positions, iii. 12. Is it not he which wringeth the writer, and wreasteth his meaning?
1626. Gouge, Serm. Dignity Chivalry, § 1. The forenamed point, ‘The Dignity of Chivalry,’ is not violently wrested.
a. 1674. Clarendon, Surv. Leviath. (1676), 287. To wrest and torture words to comply with his extravagant Wit.
1708. O. Dykes, Eng. Proverbs, 120. Are not the holy Scriptures good, because they are wrested?
1738. Jurin, in Keill’s Anim. Oecon., 98. The learned Reader … will see also how that can be done, which my learned Antagonist seems most to have wrested.
1814. Scott, Wav., xxxi. You appear convinced of my guilt, and wrest every reply I have made.
1884. W. C. Smith, Kildrostan, 52. Nay, do not wrest my words.
1909. T. R. Glover, Confl. Relig. in Early Rom. Emp., x. 309. He [Tertullian] can quibble and wrest the obvious meaning of a document to perfection.
absol. 1564. Martiall, Treat. Crosse, 84. Lett hereticks wringe and wrest as longe as they list, to wise men they shal neuer be hable to persuade the contrarie.
1592. Greene, Upst. Courtier, C 3. The end of all being, is to knowe God, And not as your worshippe … wrests to creep into acquaintance.
transf. and fig. 1549. Coverdale, etc., Erasm. Par. Gal. 4. This submyssion of myne is by them wrest into a wrong meanyng.
1581. Howell, Devises, G j. For Golde who shunnes to wrest a wrong And make it seeme as right and strong?
1599. Shaks., Hen. V., I. ii. 14. God forbid … That you should fashion, wrest, or bow your reading.
1617. Campion, 4th Bk. Ayres, xx. Wrest euery word and looke, Racke euery hidden thought.
1665. Hooke, Microgr., 28. Nor wrest I any experiment to make it quadrare with any preconceiv’d Notion.
1768. Walpole, Hist. Doubts, 94. I have thus, without straining or wresting probability, proved all I pretended to prove.
γ. 1538. Bale, Thre Lawes, 1126. By wrastynge the text, to the scriptures sore decay.
1561. T. N[orton], Calvin’s Inst., III. 201. Diuines, that … violently wrasted … many places of Scripture.
1563. Homilies, II. Repentance, II. ¶ 6. The aduersaries go about to wrast this place for to maintaine their auricular confession withall.
b. Const. against, from, † into, to, unto.
1536. Act 23 Hen. VIII., c. 10 ¶ 1. The Pope … did obfuscate and wreste Goddis holy worde … from the spirituall and trew meanyng therof.
1550. Lever, Serm. (Arb.), 138. They wrest the saying of Paule vnto a wrong meanynge.
1560. Daus, trans. Sleidane’s Comm., 9. What places of scripture the Papistes do depraue and wraste into a wronge sense.
1613. T. Taylor, Titus i. 6. They are glad to snatch here and there a word, to wrest against the Author’s meaning.
1665. Glanvill, Scepsis Sci., xviii. 116. To wrest names from their known meaning to senses most alien.
1683. Kennett, trans. Erasm. on Folly, 135. St. Paul himself … mangles some citations … and seems to wrest them to a different sense.
1820. Q. Mus. Mag., II. 260, note. This word has been wrested from its pristine and legitimate signification.
1851. Kingsley, Lett. (1878), I. 272. When you try to wrest Scripture and history to your own use.
1904. S. H. Butcher, Harvard Lect., 184. If their utterances could not be wrested to the desired end.
absol. 1540. Coverdale, Confut. Standish (1547), d vij b. Thus make ye of gods holy scripture a shipmans hose, wresting and wringing to what purpose ye will.
c. To put a wrong construction on the words or purport of (a writer); to misinterpret.
1555. Philpot, in Foxe, A. & M. (1563), 1429/2. It is shame for you to wrast and wrieth the doctors as you do.
1579. Gosson, Sch. Abuse, To Rdr. (Arb.), 18. His schollers were woont,… howe right soeuer hee wrote, to wrest him.
1604. Supplic. Masse Priests, Answer, L 4 b. They haue no reason to quarrell with any of vs for wresting, or mistaking, or misalledging Fathers.
1656. Bramhall, Replic., vi. 273. A confused companie of Authors … of little knowledge in our English affairs, tentered and wrested from their genuine sense.
1687. Prior, Hind & P. Transv., Pref. Those Authors are wrested from their true Sense.
† d. To derive or deduce (a name, etc.) irregularly from something; to change improperly. Obs.
1596. Spenser, State Irel., Wks. (Globe), 628/1. The Irish thinke to ennoble themselves by wresting theyr auncientrye from the Spaynyarde.
1605. Camden, Rem., 59. Geruasius in Latine … may signifie … honourable, as wrested from Geronsius. Ibid. James, Wrested from Iacob.
1711. Brightland’s Gram. Eng. Tongue, 137. Asparagus, Sparagus,… which the Vulgar wrest to … Sparrowgrass.
6. To turn or defect (a matter, etc.); to divert to (unto, † into) some different, (esp. undue or improper) purpose, end, etc.; to distort or pervert.
1524. Sir T. More, in Ellis, Orig. Lett., Ser. I. I. 256. To use th’erle of Angwish for an instrument to wryng and wreste the maters in to bettre trayne.
1535. Coverdale, Exod. xxiii. 8. Giftes blinde euen them yt are sharpe of sight & wraist the righteous causes.
1598. Rowlands, Betraying of Christ, 3. The art of Poesie … being … wrested and turned to the fooleries of Loue.
1620. E. Blount, Horæ Subs., 148. Let not the parties ielousie … wrest or wry his iudgement in the least degree to preiudice.
1651. Hobbes, Leviath., III. 225. One casuall event that may bee but wrested to their purpose.
1721. Berkeley, Prev. Ruin Gt. Brit., Wks. III. 208. Cunning men, who bend and wrest the public interest to their own private ends.
1802. Mar. Edgeworth, Moral T., Forester, xv. By wresting to the prisoner’s disadvantage every circumstance.
1861. Ld. Brougham, British Const., xvi. 247. A Pemberton wresting the rules of evidence, to the sacrifice of innocent persons.
1878. Stubbs, Const. Hist., III. xviii. 281. The forms of government … might be overborne and perverted; and the charge of thus wresting and warping them is shared [etc.].
b. To deflect (the law, etc.) from its proper course or interpretation; to turn from the right application; to misapply, pervert.
α. c. 1530. Tindale, Deut. xvi. 19. Wrest not the lawe … nether take any rewarde.
1575. Gascoigne, Glasse of Govt., V. ix. Where no mediacions … may wrest the sentence of the Lawe.
1596. Spenser, State Irel., Wks. (Globe), 622/2. The same Statutes are … very easely wrested to the fraud of the subject.
1611. Bible, Exod. xxiii. 6. Thou shalt not wrest the iudgement of thy poore in his cause.
1683. Burnet, trans. More’s Utopia, 149. A sort of People, whose Profession it is … to wrest Laws.
1761. Hume, Hist. Eng. (1806), IV. li. 75. The law was generally supposed to be wrested, in order to prolong their imprisonment.
1885. Ld. Fitzgerald, in Law Times’ Rep., LIII. 477/2. He would … have been wresting one of the rules.
β, γ. 1535. Coverdale, 1 Sam. viii. 3. His sonnes … toke giftes, & wraysted the lawe.
1549. Latimer, 2nd Serm. bef. Edw. VI. (Arb.), 53. To wrast the wayes of iudgement.
† c. To divert or deflect unjustly upon some one. Obs.
1609. Bible (Douay), Ps. liv. 4. They have wrested iniquities upon me.
1632. Lithgow, Trav., X. 476. The Gouernour had wrested the Inquisition vpon mee.
7. a. To overstrain the muscles of (a joint, etc.); to sprain, strain or rick (the foot, ankle, etc.). Chiefly Sc.
c. 1550. Lyndesay, Play, 742. I haif wreistit my schank.
1567. J. Sanford, trans. Epictetus, 29. Take heede … that thou wreaste not thy foote.
1649. T. Wodenote, Hermes Theol., 147. He … stumbled, and wrested his foot.
a. 1670. Spalding, Troub. Chas. I. (1850), I. 375. He, vnhappellie going throw Abirdein…, wrestit his cute or leg.
1904. in Eng. Dial. Dict., V. 84. s. Sc. I have reisted my wrist, by using a hammer.
b. To affect with griping pain; to rack, wring.
c. 1520. Skelton, Magnyf., 2302. Cou. Cou. Ye shall be clappyd with a coloppe That wyll make you to halt and to hoppe. Cra. Con. Som be wrestyd there that they thynke on it forty dayes.
1700. Blackmore, Deborah’s Song, 202. The earth with dreadful gripes was sore opprest, Which did its twisted bowels wrest.
II. † 8. intr. To struggle or contend; to strive or wrestle against something. Obs.
a. 1225. Ancr. R., 374. [Heo] moten wresten aȝean [fondunges] mid stronge wragelunge.
a. 1300. Cursor M., 19353 (Edinb. MS.). Þan bigan þai [sc. the Jews] wrenke and wraiste [v.rr. wraist, wrest], And for tene pair teþþe to gnaiste.
c. 1400. Laud Troy Bk., 3554. Thei holde ȝow so sore agast, That ȝe dar not with hem wrast.
1548. P. Nichols, Godly New Story, E iij b. For some wring & wrest to go backe agayn into Egypt.
a. 1585. Montgomerie, Cherrie & Slae, 277. Ane fische … in the nette,… Ay wristing and thristing, the faster still is scho.
1590. Lodge, Rosalind, P 2 b. He that wrests against the will of Venus.
1594. Nashe, Unfort. Trav., I j b. She strugled, she wrested, but all was in vaine.
transf. 1577. Fulke, Confut. Purg., 447. The blessed state of them that dye in the Lord, in the meaning of which you wrest and wrigle, like a snake.
† 9. To force a way, make way with effort, find egress. Also with through, out. Obs.
c. 1450. Mirk’s Festial, I. 9. Þay bonden hym to þe crosse … so hard … þat þe blod wrast apon yche a knot.
c. 1475. Partenay, 1377. The timbre and yre thorugh hys body wraste.
1590. Spenser, F. Q., II. xii. 81. The faire Enchauntresse … Tryde all her arts … thence out to wrest.
† 10. Of sound: To break forth. Obs.–1
13[?]. E. E. Allit. P., B. 1403. Sturnen trumpen strake steuen in halle, Aywhere by þe wowes wrasten krakkes.
