Also 4–5 wrongun, -en, 5 wronge, 6 wrong. [pa. pple. of WRING v.]
1. Subjected to wringing, twisting or squeezing; pressed, squeezed.
1382. Wyclif, Num. xxiv. 10. Balac wrooth aȝen Balaam, with wrongun hoondis seith [etc.].
a. 1548. Hall, Chron. Hen. VIII., 51. The handes of the sayd Hun were wrong in the wristes, wherby we perceyued that his handes had been bounde.
1611. Florio, Torcifecciole, the dregges of wrung Grapes.
1678. Rymer, Trag. last Age, 82. The Nurse with wrung hands lies at Phedra’s feet.
b. transf. Of fabrics: (see quot. 1904).
1902. Westm. Gaz., 12 March, 2/2. An overdress of green wrung chiffon.
1904. County Gentleman, 25 June, 1966/3. Wrung muslin is the smartest fabric for tea-gowns…. [It] looks as if it had been washed and had been wrung through the hands.
† 2. Of a towel. Obs.–1
Meaning not clear; app. opposed to plain.
1475. Stonor Papers (Camden), I. 155. ij schorte Wronge Towellys. It[em], ij longe Playne Towellys.
3. That has suffered or undergone distress, grief or pain; racked, distressed.
1730. Thomson, Winter (ed. 2), 289. The tender anguish nature shoots Thro’ the wrung bosom of the dying man.
1817. Moore, Lalla R., III. 365. Death had … taken thy wrung spirit home.
1841. G. P. R. James, Brigand, xxv. The refuge of many a wrung and broken heart.
b. Marked by distress, worry or pain.
1862. Mrs. H. Wood, Mrs. Hallib. Troub., III. xix. His face … wore a wrung expression.
1882. Mrs. Raven’s Tempt., II. 188. Her nervous and wrung appearance.
Hence Wrungness.
a. 1875. J. Hinton, in Hopkins, Life & Lett. (1878), 273. There are two things awry:… the acting for self (a distinct tension and wrungness); and [etc.].
