wrench

• Nom désignant un outil manuel servant à saisir et à faire tourner des écrous ou des boulons ; également, mouvement ou traction soudaine et violente qui peut provoquer une blessure musculaire ou ligamentaire.

A noun referring to a sudden, sharp twist or pull, often causing injury to muscles or ligaments; also a hand tool used for gripping and turning nuts or bolts.

1. Injury to muscles or ligamentsB2formalmedical

   A sudden, painful twisting or straining of a joint, especially the ankle or wrist.

   Entorse

   • He suffered a bad wrench to his ankle while playing soccer.
   • The doctor diagnosed a wrench in her wrist from the fall.
   • A sudden wrench to the knee can take weeks to heal.

   Synonymespullricksprainstraintwist

2. Sudden, forceful pull or twistB2formal

   A sharp, jerking movement that pulls or twists something away from its position.

   secousse violente

   • With a quick wrench, she pulled the key out of the lock.
   • He gave the rope a hard wrench to free it from the post.
   • The child's wrench of the toy from his sister's hand caused a fight.

   Synonymesjerkpulltugtwistyank

3. Tool for turning nuts and boltsB1formaltechnical

   A hand tool with jaws that is used to grip, turn, or hold nuts, bolts, or pipes.

   Clé à molette

   • He used a wrench to tighten the bolt on the engine.
   • The mechanic grabbed a wrench from his toolbox.
   • You'll need a larger wrench to loosen that nut.

   Synonymesspanner

• Verbe signifiant tirer ou tordre quelque chose brusquement et avec force, ou causer de la douleur ou de la souffrance.

A verb meaning to pull or twist something suddenly and violently, or to cause pain or distress.

1. Twist or pull violentlyB2formal

   To twist or pull something with a sudden, forceful movement, often to detach it from its place.

   Arracher d'un mouvement brusque

   • He wrenched the door open with all his strength.
   • She wrenched the toy from the child's grasp.
   • The mechanic wrenched the bolt free from the engine.

   Synonymesforcejerkpullripteartugtwistwrestwringyank

2. Make a sudden twisting motionB2formal

   To perform a sharp, twisting movement of the body or a part of the body.

   faire une torsion brusque

   • He wrenched his body around to see who was calling him.
   • She wrenched her head to the side to avoid the collision.
   • The dancer wrenched her torso in a dramatic spin.

   Synonymestwistwrestwring

3. Twist in pain or anguishB2formal

   To twist or contort the body or face as an expression of intense physical or emotional pain.

   Se tordre de douleur

   • His face wrenched in agony as the doctor set the bone.
   • She wrenched her hands together, overcome with grief.
   • The patient wrenched on the bed, unable to find relief.

   Synonymescontortdistortscrew uptwist

4. Sprain by twistingB2formal

   To injure a joint, such as an ankle or wrist, by twisting it suddenly and forcefully.

   Fouler (par torsion)

   • He wrenched his ankle while stepping off the curb.
   • She wrenched her wrist trying to catch the falling vase.
   • The athlete wrenched his knee during the game.

   Synonymesricksprainturntwistwrick