Twist
/twɪst/noun
To turn or wind something into a curved or spiral form, or to rotate sharply.
Did you know?Twist comes from an ancient Germanic root meaning to divide or separate, which is why its earliest history is tied to the idea of something branching apart before it became the word for turning and winding.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*dwis-
“Twofold; in two, or split into two”
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*twis- / *twistaz
“A division, fork, or something split into two”
Old English
English
twist
“A division, dispute, or a forked branch; later also a cord or strand”
Middle English
English
twiste
“A twisted cord, strand, or turn; the sense of winding becomes dominant”
Modern English
English
twist
“To turn, wind, bend, or rotate sharply; also a spiral form or sudden change”