Contort
[kən'tɔːt] or [kən'tɔrt]
Definition
(v. t.) To twist, or twist together; to turn awry; to bend; to distort; to wrest.
Checker: Walter
Synonyms and Synonymous
v. a. Twist, writhe, distort.
Edited by Joanne
Definition
v.t. to twist or turn violently: to writhe.—adj. Contort′ed twisted: folded or twisted back upon itself as some parts of plants.—ns. Contor′tion a violent twisting; Contor′tionist a gymnast who practises contorted postures: one who twists words and phrases.—adj. Contort′ive expressing contortion.
Editor: Nita
Examples
- I saw a grim smile contort Mr. Rochester's lips, and he muttered-- No, by God! Charlotte Bronte. Jane Eyre.
- Suddenly beyond her I saw the beautiful face of Phaidor contorted into an expression of malign hatred. Edgar Rice Burroughs. The Gods of Mars.
- The most extraordinary thing about the man was, that he was contorting his face into the most fearful and astonishing grimaces that ever were beheld. Charles Dickens. The Pickwick Papers.
- The sun was on her hair and her face was twisted as a child's contorts before it cries. Hemingway, Ernest. For Whom The Bell Tolls.
Edited by Gertrude