screwishadj.
/ˈskruːɪʃ/, U.S. /ˈskruɪʃ/ Now rare.
Of the nature of a screw (in various senses of screw n.1).
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the world > space > shape > curvature > coil > [adjective] > spiral or helical > helical
spiral1556
whelkeda1560
screwish1570
helical1613
screwed1615
cochleary1646
cochleous1694
helicoid1704
cochleateda1728
cochleate1835
helicoidal1864
the world > health and disease > ill health > animal disease or disorder > disorders of horses > [adjective] > of horses: generally unsound
screwish1829
screwy1835
1570 J. Dee in H. Billingsley tr. Euclid Elements Geom. Math. Præf. sig. ciiij v Archimedes, setting to, his Skruish Engine, caused Hiero the king, by him self, at ease, to remoue her [sc. a ship].
1829 Sporting Mag. 23 285 How unlucky then that he chanced to have so screwish a set [of horses].
1841 New Monthly Mag. Aug. 454 I have saved more persons from screwish peril both to purse and person, than would have entitled me to all the medals ever issued by the Royal Humane Society.
1874 Once a Week 10 Jan. 40/1 The animal looks ‘screwish;’ his muscles stand out too prominently, and there is..a very small amount of difficulty in counting his ribs.
1998 J. Varley Golden Globe i. 34 You object to thieving of any kind, from anyone, including these rich old screwish families who wouldn't miss a billion.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2017; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adj.1570