a. (Stress variable.) [f. WRY a. 2.] Having the face out of line with the neck and chest; also, that has or makes a wry face.

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1607.  Topsell, Four-f. Beasts, 14. Antiphilus made a very noble one [i.e., picture of a satyr] in a Panthers skin, calling it Aposcopon, that is, Wri-faced.

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1611.  Cotgr., Caravirée, a wry-mouthed, or wry-faced wench; or one that often makes wry mouthes, or ill fauoured wry faces.

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1684.  Lond. Gaz., No. 1990/4. One of the Robbers was … Wrifaced and Pock-broken.

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1803.  Fessenden, Poet. Petit., 87. Each wry-fac’d rogue, and dirty trollop.

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1837.  Dickens, Pickw., xvii. You snivelling, wry-faced, puny villain.

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1898.  Westm. Gaz., 17 Feb., 9/3. A slim, wry-faced man.

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  transf.  1687.  Settle, Refl. Dryden, 83. What a wry faced contradiction is here?

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