1Form into a bent, curling, or distorted shape.

1. 1.1with object and adverbial Form (something) into a particular shape by taking hold of one or both ends and turning them.
   she twisted her handkerchief into a knot

   Example sentencesExamples

   • So Hunab Ku twisted the boughs into the shape of a man, and he breathed upon it and set it on Earth.
   • They twist a cloth into a doughnut shape and put it on their heads.
   • Periodically I would look across to my friend and yoga-pal Sola, who would be twisting her slender body into poses I can only wince at, and feel rather inadequate.
   • Sean says a good way to make the meal more romantic is to twist a piece of salmon into a rose shape, and place it on top of the mini-tower that the starter has become.
   • Her dark tresses were twisted into an oddly shaped bun with two chopsticks sticking from them.
   • Nobody can teach the way he twists rambling phrases into musical stories.
   • Tag along to yoga with your mom - twisting yourself into a pretzel couldn't be more of a change of pace.
   • A sneer twisted the woman's handsome features into something dark.
   • One of the joys of the radio show is Adams's pleasure in twisting language into all sorts of new and amusing shapes.
   • She wore a hint of false annoyance on her face, her fascinatingly shaped lips twisting themselves into a grimace.
   • Amber has to get her gloves to twist them into a shape similar to the creature she likes.
   • I tried again to twist my face into a shape that might suggest some sort of comprehension.
   • Standing up, he twisted his right hand into the shape of a phone and waggled it in front of his ear.
   • I don't show my power feats to them, but carry around these balloons, blow them and twist them into animal and bird shapes.
   • The table napkin found its way into Mei-Feng's hands and had been twisted and turned into weird shapes.
   • He twists whatever he finds into new shapes without regard for the old ones.
   • Saturn's F-ring is being twisted into its contorted shape by the gravitational effect of the moon Prometheus.
   • He held out a green piece of fruit that had been twisted into a spiral.
   • The other three peered over his shoulder at the staff to see it was just like a small branch that had been twisted into a weird staff-like shape.
   • Though he's adept at twisting the sound of the guitar into any shape he likes, Abrahams is as interested in musical structure as he is in texture.

   Synonyms

   wring, squeeze, knead
2. 1.2with object and adverbial Turn or bend into a specified position or in a specified direction.
   he grabbed the man and twisted his arm behind his back

   Example sentencesExamples

   • Every head in Madrid's packed Plaza de Toros was twisted in their direction.
   • The wafers are pressed against each other, slightly twisted at a precisely controlled angle and then bonded together to form a bi-crystal.
   • He blocked all three but struggled on the third because he was twisted in an odd position.
   • His hand shot out and grabbed my arm, twisting me back painfully.
   • He grabbed hold of her right arm, twisting her around so she faced the wall and the arm was behind her.
   • She twisted him around to face her and crossed her arms in front of her chest.
   • Alex twisted both of his swords up into a self-protective X position and waited for the blow Zack would deliver.
   • So when I started twisting the fruit around to loosen the membrane and subsequently pick out the seeds, Joey started pointing at me and laughing.
   • But then, in my paintings, I started twisting branches upside down so that they became shapes lying into the landscape.
   • She twisted herself into a sitting position, and from there, she managed to get up on her feet.
   • I was still sitting; he was standing, his arms twisted behind his back.
   • The feline Juanjo twisted himself into a stable position from which to strike, but biffed his shot wide of the post.
   • And before he knew it, the pro had twisted him into positions he never thought possible.
   • Hetty's form of the condition - spasmodic torticollis - causes the neck muscles to spasm twisting her neck to one side, which also affects the spine.
   • Her face ached from the false smile that appeared on her lips, and her toe throbbed from being twisted in the wrong direction.
   • The eagle twists its head, looks me in the eye, and turns its regal beak back into the wind.
   • I was once again twisted around by the shoulders to face my arch nemesis.
   • He instinctively grabbed the tumbling bag with outstretched arms, and it twisted him sharply to the right before striking his shins and feet.
   • I flicked on the little lamp that has been twisted round to fit inside my bookshelf.
   • Would it be possible for the galleried seating area to be twisted around to make a feature of it as you walk into the chapel?
3. 1.3twist something off Remove something by pulling and rotating it.
   beetroot can be stored once the leaves have been twisted off

   Example sentencesExamples

   • To peel prawns, twist off their heads and pull off the ‘legs’.
   • I twisted my body off my bed so my feet would land on the carpeted floor.
   • A couple of his men grabbed me this morning, I thought they were going to twist my head off.
   • He quickly ran over to it and twisted the knob off.
   • Turning around, I twisted the top off my water bottle and took a quick swig from it as I walked into my room and sat down at the foot of the bed, which sunk down under my weight.
   • He twisted the ring off his middle finger, and slumped down at the kitchen table, feeling the strain in his neck and arms.
   • He pocketed the cigarettes and twisted the top off the thermos.
   • They move together back into the big part of the house, toward the kitchen, where Dave is twisting the cap off a beer.
   • I placed my hand on her wrist and twisted her grasp off my arm.
   • To take liquid out of one of Frank's dolls, D twisted the head off and poured the water out of the torso.
   • In a few long strides, I've grabbed the doorknob and am about to twist the thing off, when I recognize the voice.
   • In other words, gearing is like leverage: You may not be able to grab a nut that's tight and twist it off with your bare hand, but the job becomes easy with a socket and a long ratchet.
   • He twisted the lid off the marmalade and put it sticky-side-up beside the toaster.
   • Cut the leaves at the base of the plant, or pull the leaves off by gently pulling downwards and twisting them off - this will avoid disturbing the plant's root system.
   • Remove the silk, and then gently pull the husks back up, twisting the husks off at the top with twist ties.
   • She twisted the flower off the stem and looked at the stem.
   • She pulled the straw out and twisted her helmet off, revealing a teenage girl with round glasses, bobbed brown hair and bright smiling eyes.
   • Also remove any leaves that turn yellow or look damaged by twisting them off.
   • You try and twist the cap off until she hands you a bottle opener and you say thanks.
   • Vicente will spend the day on a 12-foot ladder, pulling bunches of cherries from the tops of the trees, while Isabel twists the fruit off the branches below.
4. 1.4no object Move one's body so that the shoulders and hips are facing in different directions.
   she twisted in her seat to look at the buildings

   Example sentencesExamples

   • It tends to happen in ballet when landing large jumps, or in forms such as contact improvisation, in which the body twists while the foot stays in contact with the floor.
   • Arti twisted herself in the direction of the voices, to find two ten year olds glaring at her.
   • Lauren twisted herself around so she could look behind.
   • Seth sighed and twisted himself to face me directly.
   • Typically, this is where people tend to place too much pressure, such as lifting a heavy box, twisting to move a heavy load, or carrying a heavy object.
   • I was twisting and flexing my body just to feel it move.
   • Dr Brash reminds me of one of those plasticine stick men that we can bend and twist in any direction we want to put them in at any one time.
   • The rotation should come from your middle and your middle only, so anchor your hips and don't let them move as you twist.
   • He unwrapped his arm from around the dog and twisted himself into a semi-sitting position.
   • When he talks, his body twists back and forth, creaking the swivel chair.
   • Turn by moving your whole body rather than by twisting at your waist.
   • That's right, when he makes that noise, it means yeah-that's-good, and when he twists that way, it means he's getting close to his limit.
   • He twists his tall, wiry frame and points downstream to where the roiling current is slamming into a stone wall.
   • These muscle groups come into play when you are bending, twisting or straightening up your body.
   • She was very pleased, and twisted and turned her body to get a better view.
   • The bearded figure twists to face us as he frees himself from one of the snakes.
   • The elevator entrance spiraled open behind Howard and he twisted in the opposite direction and almost jumped out of his skin.
   • During the reading, Huang Jingao kept twisting and moving his body, and appeared to be uncomfortable.
   • Her body twisted around to face the tree and she turned to look up into the wide assortment of golden leaves.
   • Her body begins to twist when she feels me on her shoulder.

   Synonyms

   turn (round), swivel (round), skew (round), spin (round), pivot, rotate, revolve
5. 1.5no object, with adverbial Move in a wriggling or writhing fashion.
   he twisted himself free

   Example sentencesExamples

   • Zethus fought against his power valiantly, wriggling and twisting, but got little reward for his struggles, as he didn't move an inch.
   • He twisted and writhed in pain, his anger rising.
   • I'm apparently tossing and turning in my uncomfortable sleep, moving here, twisting there.
   • Red flames danced, glowing, leaping and twisting, a haunting mix of black and red casting horrific patterns over the concrete.
   • She squirmed and writhed and twisted, genuinely this time, but she was small anyway, and Sarah was strong, and so she wasn't going anywhere.
   • Minutes later, she started to struggle again, pushing and pulling her arm, twisting and wriggling to try to get away.
   • Paul twisted, swivelled, danced and turned his way through some desperate tackles before pirouetting over the line in a mesmerising display of balance and control.
   • As her tail sinks into the semifluid sand, she twists her body and drills herself downward until she is buried up to the pectoral fins.
   • Her body twisted and turned as nightmares filled her head and haunted her rest.
   • The ground began another round of shaking, moving, and twisting.
   • The robot methodically twisted and moved his limbs in noisy harmony to open the door.
   • Her body twisted and moved with such agility and grace that she managed to avoid most of the attacks that were issued her way.
   • Then, I started to move, twisting and twirling my body, starting in a dance that involved every muscle I had.
   • Samaras strikes hundreds of different poses, twisting and reshaping himself before the lenses of his various Polaroids.
   • She tried to wriggle and twist around, but could only move fractionally.
   • The sea will rear up because Jormungand, the Midgard Serpent, is twisting and writhing in fury, making his way toward the land.
   • I twisted and twitched and writhed, but they wouldn't let me go.
   • Difficult to describe, the film contains a host of shifting shapes, such as dots and circles that wriggle and twist, as well as a recurring totem figure that is the most concrete element of the film.
   • Chaos lashed out with a foot, but Cecil had been waiting for the move, and twisted out of the way.
   • Their bodies twisted as each tried to wrest the weapon from the other's grasp.

   Synonyms

   wriggle, writhe, squirm, worm, wiggle
6. 1.6 Injure (a joint) by wrenching it.
   he twisted his ankle trying to avoid his opponent's lunge

   Example sentencesExamples

   • ‘The real test will come in the New Year when I am running and twisting the knee but a week after the operation everything is going well,’ he said.
   • She stood for a moment, and massaged her neck where it was stiff after being twisted at an awkward angle all night.
   • There's a dead pain in the middle of my back, and I've twisted something or pulled something in my hip.
   • As she left the area where Mrs Scarrabelotti had tripped and broken her wrist, Terra tripped on another cracked part of the footpath, twisting her ankle.
   • In attempting to play the shot, Lehmann twisted the injured left knee which he already had strapped and he obviously did further damage.
   • Knees were twisted, ankles pulled, vision checked, X-rays taken and blood drawn.
   • The 19-year-old limped from the fray in the first-half after twisting his ankle where the side of the Gay Meadow pitch met the surrounding track.
   • The Spaniard had a break point for a 3-1 lead in the first set when he twisted his right ankle after chasing a Sluiter forehand.

   Synonyms

   sprain, wrench, turn, rick, crick
7. 1.7 Distort or misrepresent the meaning of (words)
   they twisted my words and made a mockery of me

   Example sentencesExamples

   • All that does is play into their strategy of twisting words and meanings until nothing means what it says any more.
   • Am I being too sensitive, or deliberately twisting his words?
   • Rather then debate that process openly, the interviewer twists it into something else and lets others attack.
   • I have been misquoted and my words have been twisted.
   • Of this much I'm certain - Down will be absolutely furious when I tell him that his words have been twisted in this way.
   • That's why I stopped talking, because I can see the press twisting whatever I say anyway.
   • They have to deal with a thousand different ways in which their words may be twisted and perceived by people they have never met and who have no desire to meet them.
   • Political fund-raising spam is still relatively rare, but it has already been twisted to fraudulent purposes.
   • He had twisted her response to his question and told her that even worse words could be twisted by others in court.
   • He is forced to twist and bend the truth to justify his crimes.
   • John Q. tries to twists the discussion by effectively challenging us to prove that we're being consistent according to his definition.
   • Being clear, and always conscious of whether my words could be twisted, was really important.
   • We seem to have a lot of sensible men in our laboratories at the moment but their words are being twisted and blown up in a quite irresponsible manner by the media.
   • On the local and national front, we have another effort at twisting meanings and twisting history.
   • Facts have either been twisted or not at all revealed.
   • I have watched how words have been twisted, strewn and bent into whole other shapes by parts of the media.
   • While he lives in his own little world, he knows what is going on out there - even if he twists the information in his own warped way.
   • What we should assure politicians is that we have no gain from twisting or distorting facts.

   Synonyms

   distort, misrepresent, change, alter, pervert, falsify, warp, skew, put the wrong slant on, misinterpret, misconstrue, misstate, misquote, quote/take out of context, misreport

   garble

2Cause to rotate around a stationary point; turn.

1. 2.1with object and adverbial Wind around or through something.
   I twisted a strand of hair around my finger

   Example sentencesExamples

   • Her eyes were red from crying and her hands kept twisting her skirt unknowledgeably.
   • He would always pick up my pen if I dropped it, and I loved the way he would twist his mousy brown hair around his fingers when he got nervous.
   • I stopped suddenly in front of the building and turned to Rob, twisting some of my hair around my finger.
   • She gasped, sitting up in bed, her pajama shirt twisted around her body.
   • I twisted one of the ringlets around my finger and pulled it making it bounce up and down.
   • Do you keep things inside and let them twist and wind inside you rather than let them out?
   • The pair were laughing loudly, Corrie twisting one of her curls around her finger.
   • She wore a gown of grass and leaves that twisted about her body like ivy.
   • She twisted one of those auburn hairs around her finger, looking nervously up at him.
   • Cora toyed with her cloak, twisting the shining white fabric between her fingers while gazing up at the stars.
   • The raging wind began to take shape, twisting and coiling before the man before coalescing into a staff.
   • She twirled, slowly bringing her slender arms above her head while her sheer dress flowed in the breeze, twisting around her body.
   • I tilted my head to one side and started twisting my dirty blonde hair around my fingers.
   • Cedric walks in straightening his shirt that was most likely twisted around his body from sitting awkwardly on the couch.
   • Smoke rose from a hall in the roof and drifted with the wind, twisting and furling in on itself until you were unable to see it.
   • His hands traveled up his back and came to rest on the back of his head, his fingers twisted in the jet black locks.
   • And his grip on my hand firmed, his fingers now curling and twisting over mine as he stood.
   • Rochelle began twisting some of her hair around her finger, and I thought that she mustn't have been keeping tabs on me as well as she thought.
   • The dress she had worn on her date was wrinkled and twisted around her body, and her stockings had huge runs in them.
   • These have been due to either the release line twisting around the link knife, or wheat stubble becoming jammed in the ‘v’ of the blades.

   Synonyms

   wind, twirl, coil, curl, wrap
2. 2.2 Move or cause to move around each other; interlace.
   with object she twisted her hands together nervously

   the machine twists together strands to make a double yarn

   Example sentencesExamples

   • The hilt had vines and snakes twisting together in intricate designs.
   • DNA is a very long molecule, composed of two strands twisted around each other to produce the famous double helix.
   • He wore a button-down collared shirt; his locks had been neatly twisted and pinned back in a bun.
   • Liz hands me a package of Kleenex from her purse, and I twist a few together, running them under the unsteady stream of ice cold water.
   • Thousands of tiny lines, all twisted together, constitute the clump of moss.
   • Many dark and bright threads are slowly twisted together.
   • The pillars twisted around each other then spread out at the top to support a long, triangular roof that had strange runes carved into it.
   • Fraser and Grant's voices are the stars of the song, harmonizing and twisting around each other.
   • Her hair was snowy white, tipped in black, twisted together in clumps to resemble feathers and pulled up out of her face with a black strip of leather.
   • She looked up at him as he twisted the two streamers together and taped them in a sort of upside down McDonald's sign above the window.
   • With the pliers, he twists two more wires together, and the device is complete.
   • If you have ever looked at a network cable you will notice that the wires are arranged in pairs, and are twisted together.
   • The locks of hair had twisted themselves into ringlets, and they looked like they would suffocate her if left untamed.
   • I go into mass-production here, using a fork made from strands of fencing wire twisted together at one end and spread open at the other to form a circle of prongs.
   • This book may not be to all tastes, but a curious reader will find many intellectual strands twisted together here, most likely in unusual patterns.
   • Maisy, meanwhile, was twisting wild dandelions together to make a kind of chain.
   • It was a butterfly, its wings made from fine strands of gold twisted together until they formed this delicate creature, so fine it seemed almost transparent.
   • I'm just uselessly twisting a thousand things around in my head.
   • Our lives, I obsessively told myself, were twisted together by fate.
   • Her fingers twisted themselves into a knot as her mind began to race with her thoughts.

   Synonyms

   intertwine, twine, entwine, interlace, weave, plait, interweave, braid, wreathe, coil, wind

   literary pleach
3. 2.3 Make (something) by interlacing or winding strands together.
   he could twist a rope strong enough to hold a mule

   Example sentencesExamples

   • With remainder of yarn, twist a cord or crochet a chain cord.
   • The thread is twisted by attaching loose strands to the top of the spindle, then rolling the spindle along the thigh to start it spinning.
   • You may also twist a cord out of yarn, or use i-cord.

   Synonyms

   intertwine, twine, entwine, interlace, weave, plait, interweave, braid, wreathe, coil, wind
4. 2.4no object Take or have a winding course.
   the railway lines twist and turn round the hills

   Example sentencesExamples

   • Then the trail would stop winding and twisting, and would level off and widen.
   • His lines curve and twist, zig and zag, constantly delighting the eye but never losing form.
   • The small group sat in silence as Alex negotiated the roads, twisting in and out through the traffic, which was unusually heavy this evening.
   • The palace where this wild party occurs is oddly arranged, however, with a series of seven rooms that twist and wind beyond the view of the other.
   • For instance, you need only drive a few miles out from Benidorm to discover narrow mountain roads that twist through pine forests.
   • The corner of her eye caught the yellow bus as it came down the long road, twisting and winding, stopping here and there to pick up children that also attended school.
   • Alsonte was floating down a river of memories, twisting and winding.
   • They twisted and turned down winding maze paths, never being able to tell if they were lost or going on the right path, blindly guessing.
   • The road twisted and turned up and around the mountains, and soon I was surrounded by thick forest.
   • We would bump and twist along narrow roads, their surfaces deeply grooved by hardened tire tracks.
   • The rim snakes and twists and after a while it's easy to lose your bearings in an unfamiliar place.
   • Claire realised too late what had happened when the ride started and she was violently shaken as the roller-coaster looped upside down and twisted around sharp bends at high speed.
   • The main road twisted and turned through the collection of houses and shops in a boa-like manner.
   • We climbed through tough canyon country, the road bucking and twisting between coastal oaks and mountain laurel.
   • South of Keri, the road twists past paddy fields, prawn farms and rural hamlets towards Arambol.
   • Below, another less obvious route twists off slyly to the south.
   • The road twisted and hairpinned and climbed, but as scary mountain passes go, it was pretty tame.
   • The paths lead on forever and ever, winding and twisting and weaving in circles until you don't know east from west nor north from south.
   • Lowering his quill once more, the ink trailed in a continuous line, curving and twisting on the paper.
   • At this point, the Apaches split up from each other and dropped down to ground level where they began to move forward, twisting around dunes.

   Synonyms

   wind, bend, curve, turn, meander, weave, zigzag, swerve, loop, corkscrew, snake, worm

3no object Dance the twist.

4British informal Cheat; defraud.

5no object (in pontoon) request, deal, or be dealt a card face upwards.

1An act of twisting something around a stationary point.

1. 1.1 An act of turning one's body or part of one's body.
   with a sudden twist, she got away from him

   Example sentencesExamples

   • Stoney Point's bipod uses a very clever, patented locking mechanism so you can change the length with a twist of the wrist.
   • The gradual twist of the body may be likened to certain movements in nature, such as that of a vine winding itself around a tree.
   • They were the only pair to perform jumps with a quadruple twist and a triple Riedberger, as well as a spin with a jump.
   • Morgeta squats down and with the twist of her upper body with her arms extended halfway out, she causes the boulders around her to fly off the ground in a circular pattern.
   • With a yell and a half twist, I spiralled off the ground with my sword to the side, the blade catching the fire.
   • It wasn't so much that I was going fast, as that I did many acrobatic twists as I slid down the hill.
   • Performers would then dive into the water from the swing, embellishing their dives with graceful twists and spins, when the swing reached its highest point.
   • Hold position, then come out of twist smoothly; change foot and leg positions, and repeat twist to the other side.
   • With a complex twist of his wrist he tossed the bhaji onto a plate and it accelerated after the bounce so quickly that he hardly had time to parry it with his knife.
   • She looked outward, and could just make out a two-legged, tramping shape making little twists and rolls ahead of her.
   • He swung the spear so that the staff rested against his back, his right hand held onto the part sticking out to his right, and when he got close to the block he gave a twist of his body, cutting through it with the spear at his side.
   • Clive Francis, as the Aunt, created the illusion of an old woman by a twist of the body and the turn of the head and one believed in it.
   • With a firm twist of her body, Oren got herself spiraling toward the ground at a crazy angle.
   • With a twist of his body, Vince turned so that his left leg was now resting on top of the broken wall of stone.
   • Why just do lunges when you can do a lunge and a torso twist?
   • I start with trunk twists - twisting my upper body from side to side for 30 seconds, elbows in, fists up, hips steady.
   • Hu rallied to win on his last dive, a backward double somersault with one twist.
   • The gentle back bends and twists soothe lower back pain, improve digestion, and clear your thinking.
   • Though a relatively recent convert to card playing, Vincent has mastered all the tokens required, winking, nodding, tongue twists and body gyrations.
   • This yoga twist often relieves pressure in low back discs with a pop!
2. 1.2the twist A dance with a twisting movement of the body, popular in the 1960s.
   lets do the twist

   Example sentencesExamples

   • But I told Quentin that there were other dances other than the twist.
   • Play your favorite music and dance: Move your feet, move your body, add a waltz, do the twist.
   • The description of him dancing the twist with his wife in an effort to come to terms with the New World Order is almost too sad to contemplate.
   • Back in the 1960's my favorite uncle taught me how to do the twist.
   • I think I was more willing to do the twist like an overweight John Travolta than do that time warp thing from the other movie.
   • They stood up, sang Twist and Shout, danced the twist, going up and down.
   • Did the twist signal the end of Western civilization?
   • Twist is an effort to document the twist dance craze that starts off with some promise, but eventually goes off the rails.
   • It was a crazy record: it had instructions on how to do the twist on the back of it, about how you dance and where you put your feet.
   • The entire crowd was in a constant groove, heads bopping and legs kicking up doing the twist, swing dancing, and just plain old quaking and shaking.
3. 1.3mass noun The extent of twisting of a rod or other object.
   Example sentencesExamples

   • You can make a simple model of it by joining the ends of a long, narrow strip of paper after giving one end a 180-degree twist.
   • This high degree of twist, although common in ophiacodontids, represents the upper limit recorded for pelycosaurs.
   • The fineness of the fibers, spun with a high degree of twist, gives the yarn a springy resilience.
   • Take a rectangular strip of paper and join the two ends of the strip together so that it has a 180 degree twist.
   • The mechanism of facilitated melting probably involves the conversion of supercoils to changes in twist.
   • Generally, the more twist in the carpet yarns, the more spring, which hides footprints.
   • If you tend to roll excessively the lengthways twist of the shoe should be minimal, otherwise your foot will roll even more and this could possibly lead to shin pain and knee problems.
   • Another factor in a quality rug is the twist level or the number of twists in 1 inch length of fiber.
   • The perfect rug will have just the right combination of density, twist and fiber.
4. 1.4mass noun Force producing twisting; torque.
   Example sentencesExamples

   • The very expanse of his sentences, their twist and torque, is an American dream of plenitude.
   • He attributes that to having a lot of torque, twist and turn in his body and lots of flexibility in his arm, shoulder and elbow.
   • Even though the ejector gets smacked with every shot there's no torque or twist involved so ejectors normally last forever.
5. 1.5mass noun Forward motion combined with rotation about an axis.
   Example sentencesExamples

   • The thought of performing turns and twists which subject the body to six times the force of gravity might be enough to make the strongest stomach turn over.
   • The next part was a flurry of movement - block, parry, thrust, twist, turn, step.
   • From barrel rolls and 180 twists to death-defying building leaps and extreme stacks, Stuntman promises to be quite an adrenaline rush.
   • Gliding and floating, soaring and diving, every twist and turn makes the hairs on my arms stand on end and a shiver tremble down my spine.
   • The plane can do sudden twists when you least expect it and if your flying low don't be surprised to plow into a building or similar obstacle.
   • The mean and standard deviations of propeller twist, roll, and slide values at each step are listed in Tables 1 and 2.

   Synonyms

   turn, twirl, spin, rotation, roll
6. 1.6 The rifling in the bore of a gun.
   barrels with a 1:24 inch twist

   Example sentencesExamples

   • Lymam NEI and SAECO offer a variety of 500 to 600 grain bullet designs for the faster twists found in modern barrels.
   • You have to coordinate your eyeball with your hand to compensate for the rifling twist, but it's not hard to learn.
   • This allows a tight brush or patch to correctly follow the rifling twist for better cleaning.
   • A tab on the shroud engaged a small slot in the frame to prevent it from turning and the rifling twist made everything self tightening.
   • The heavier bullet necessitated a change in rifling twist.

2A thing with a spiral shape.

1. 2.1British A paper packet with twisted ends.
   he handed her a twist of paper

   Example sentencesExamples

   • Delphine pulled a twist of paper from her pocket and laid it out flat on her knees.
2. 2.2 A small quantity of tobacco, sugar, salt, or a similar substance, wrapped in such a packet.
   he bought a packet of crisps with a blue twist of salt in them

   Example sentencesExamples

   • I sprinkled upon it a bit of salt from my twist, and it made a dish fit for those in a timber hall.
   • This type of smokeless tobacco comes in loose leaf, plugs or twists.
   • They lived in Yearman, in southern Ohio, until they had nothing to barter and couldn't get credit for a twist of tobacco.
   • That said, I'm a bit of a picnic pedant; I have to have little twists of salt and pepper to dust on to my crisp salad or a ripe tomato or two.
3. 2.3 A curled piece of lemon peel used to flavour a drink.
   she drank vodka and tonic with a twist of lemon

   Example sentencesExamples

   • Strain into a large, chilled Martini glass and garnish with a twist of lemon.
   • The old standby of orange or lemon twists are available year-round, which helps to account for their popularity.
   • Garnishes have moved beyond the simple wedge of lime or twist of lemon peel.
   • Serve immediately strained into frozen martini glass and garnish with lemon twist or olive.
   • Anything more than a green olive or a twist of lemon and it's a salad.
   • Grill small sardines on the open grill and serve with a twist of lemon and a healthy shake of freshly ground black pepper.
   • Even the espresso was note - perfect, with its mini lemon twist.
   • Slightly acidic solutions are strong salivary stimulants, which might explain why a twist of lemon is perceived as a valuable addition to aperitifs.
   • Flavored sparkling waters are also delicious served with a twist of lemon.
   • Breathe fresh air, walk and drink room temperature water adding a twist of lemon.
   • However, the ending is rewarding with a surprise twist… a lemon twist.
   • Jack picked his poison, a straight scotch with a twist of lemon, and planted himself on a nearby stool.
   • One of the techniques she has taught her bartenders is the flaming of lemon and orange twists.
   • Strain into the glasses and garnish with a twist of lemon peel.
   • Small in size, each portion provided six fish whose taste was nicely balanced with a lemon twist.
   • Instead I'll make one up: Chateau Parerre Fantoinette with a twist of lemon.
   • Take your Good Grips zester, and using the notch on the side, make a twist from the lemon rind.
   • The days when you can buy a ‘double de-caf skinny hazelnut latté with a twist of lemon and two brown sugars’ in a can may soon be upon us.
   • I stumbled downstairs for another cup, in which I took half a twist of lemon and a spoonful of honey.
   • Squeeze the lemon twist over the surface, then drop it into the glass.

3A distorted shape.

1. 3.1 An unusual feature of a person's personality, typically an unhealthy one.
   her lack of considerateness is a personality twist which could bring her problems

   Example sentencesExamples

   • But I come to the conclusion that sometimes failure gives an interesting twist to a person.
   • The actors bring such unique twists to these characters, and we have such complex characters, that that's the fun of writing the show.

   Synonyms

   quirk, idiosyncrasy, foible, eccentricity, peculiarity, oddity, kink

   aberration, fault, flaw, imperfection, defect, failing, weakness

   deviation, perversion
2. 3.2British informal A swindle.
   Synonyms

   fraud, swindle, fraudulent scheme, confidence trick, mare's nest

4A point at which something turns or bends.

1. 4.1 An unexpected development of events.
   it was soon time for the next twist of fate in his extraordinary career

   Example sentencesExamples

   • But in a terrible twist of fate, the disease she has worked so hard to find a cure for has now come to haunt her.
   • The debate was an unexpected twist for the rave community, which was finally feeling optimistic about the proposed bylaw amendments after years of waiting for them.
   • The movie itself is an instant classic with yet again amazing visuals, dialogue, twists, action sequences, performances, and sound track.
   • So, as to not spoil the movie, I will only tell you that it concludes with an unexpected twist.
   • His stories are accompanied by a strange twist of the supernatural.
   • The second half of the show is filled with unexpected and clever plot twists, as well as a marked shift in tone.
   • In a strange twist of irony, this very narrowing down of themes may result in a wider audience.
   • The newly formed friendship is severely tested and I won't give the ending away, but it is indeed an astonishing twist of fate for all three men.
   • In a strange twist in the tale the wheeler-dealer will pay a terrible price for this unrequited love.
   • His life had taken so many strange turns, twists and almost acrobatic tumbles.
   • The book zips by with twists, murders and sudden encounters.
   • In a strange twist of irony, players who played the past year overseas say they are too worn down to participate, while players who didn't play claim they are nowhere near game shape.
   • And in a serendipitous twist of fate, he is now in a position to offer my band discounted studio time at a local recording studio.
   • When you seem to be pandering to an audience with a slender attention span, then it's unrealistic to expect character development, clever plot twists or edge-of-seat tension.
   • Ellen is not even a quarter-time medium but they end up uncovering a family secret at the end, so it's a play with a double twist to it.
   • The film holds a few surprises - not in clichéd twists, but in unexpected plot developments that make the film more compelling.
   • Yesterday's verdict was originally expected in December but was repeatedly delayed by fresh, and increasingly strange, twists in the case.
   • Be prepared to laugh, cringe and cry as the play slips from the anarchical to the downright grotesque and be prepared for an unexpected twist at the end.
   • An unexpected twist of fate would change the course of his life.
   • At times, the plot twists sound as if they've been generated by a Hollywood scribe, a fact that amuses Koenig.

   Synonyms

   convolution, complication, complexity, intricacy

   surprise, revelation

   development, turn of events, incident, happening, occurrence

   turnabout
2. 4.2 A new treatment or outlook; a variation.
   she takes conventional subjects and gives them a twist

   Example sentencesExamples

   • Here he takes the traditional polyphonic form of church music and gives it a modern twist, with unexpected endings and harmonies.
   • This 5-panel, high-profile cap with a twist features a flashlight in the crown of the cap.
   • The list covers classics, such as the Mint Julep, which is given a presentation twist by serving it in a silver goblet.
   • White also stopped planning weddings and made her specialty in providing corporate affairs events with a twist.
   • The love affair between the student and the pub is set to take a new twist at a Kendal tavern which has come under new ownership.
   • Ainsley gives chips a refreshing and funky twist with a lemon and garlic chip recipe.
   • The film can be seen as a twist on Ang Lee's Eat Drink Man Woman and The Wedding Banquet.
   • This lucid, pioneering work examines important new twists in the changing landscape of 21st-century warfare.
   • The palate freshener was a sorbet, but in another radical twist, instead of lemon or fruit, this was a tomato based sorbet.
   • The final touch was a new twist for me: lime sugar - grated peel (enough to add color as well as flavor) mixed with sugar.
   • So far, all we've really had are variations on and interesting twists on the sound that was introduced to us on the debut record.
   • Here's one added twist: Drink two glasses of water before each meal.
   • I added a little twist and got this lovely piece of literary work.
   • The pentagonal doors define the look of the Zaroot with its front and rear graphic treatment adding a futuristic twist.
   • It sounds unusual, but it tasted great; a meaty, comforting pasta dish given a twist by a substantial infusion of whisky.
   • I like it when bands put a different twist on well-known pieces at live shows, but, yeah, completely distorting a hit is not the way to get your fans up and dancing.
   • I slumped into the bench and played something with dissonant notes and unexpected twists to match the room around me.
   • The humous's lemon infusion was an inspired twist, while the vegetables were pretty much as you'd expect.
   • The idea represents a global twist on what media companies have been doing on a national scale for several decades.
   • Canary Wharf Station offered an interesting twist to the design of the cubicles.
   • An inn with a twist - each room is furnished in a regional theme (the Denmark room has a steam sauna).

   Synonyms

   interpretation, slant, outlook, angle, approach, treatment

   alteration, variation

5mass noun A fine strong thread consisting of twisted strands of cotton or silk.

6British A drink consisting of two ingredients mixed together.

7A carpet with a tightly curled pile.