Etymology

wrench

W4R1E1N1C3H4

Today it means: A movement that twists or pulls violently; a tug. Full definition →

First used 16th c.Middle English wrench ← Old English wrenċ ← Proto-Germanic *wrankiz
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wrench · noun1

  1. Proto-Indo-European · derived from*wreng-“to turn”
  2. Proto-Germanic · inherited from*wrankiz
  3. Old English · inherited fromwrenċ
  4. Middle English · inherited fromwrench
  5. English todaywrench

From Middle English wrench, from Old English wrenċ, from Proto-Germanic *wrankiz, from Proto-Indo-European *wreng- (“to turn”). Compare German Rank (“plot, intrigue”).

wrench · verb2

  1. Proto-Germanic · inherited from*wrankijaną
  2. Proto-West Germanic · inherited from*wrankijan
  3. Old English · inherited fromwrenċan
  4. Middle English · inherited fromwrenchen
  5. English todaywrench

From Middle English wrenchen, from Old English wrenċan, from Proto-West Germanic *wrankijan, from Proto-Germanic *wrankijaną. Compare German renken.

Wrench · proper noun3

From wrench, in the sense of trick, artifice, deceit, thus a nickname for a sly and wily person.

First known use, by meaning

  • from 16th c. A movement that twists or pulls violently; a tug.
  • from 16th c. An injury caused by a violent twisting or pulling of a limb; strain, sprain.
  • from 8th c. A trick or artifice.
  • from 13th c. Deceit; guile; treachery.
  • from 16th c. A turn at an acute angle.
  • from 16th c. A winch or windlass.
  • from 16th c. A screw.
  • from 17th c. A distorting change from the original meaning.

Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.