to twist or turn; pull, jerk, or force by a violent twist. to wrest a knife from a child. to wrest a living from the soil. to twist or turn from the proper course, application, use, meaning, or the like; wrench. a wresting; twist or wrench.

1. To obtain or remove by pulling with twisting movements: wrested the book out of his hands. 2. To take possession of forcefully; seize or usurp: wrested the islands from the settlers; wrested power from the monarchy. 3. To gain or extract with persistent effort; wring: wrested concessions from their opponents. n. Music

a twist or wrench. pull, jerk, or force by a violent twist. to take away by force: to wrest a knife from a child. to get by effort: to wrest a living from the soil. wrench. n. twist or wrench. Music and Dance a key or small wrench for tuning stringed musical instruments, as the harp or piano, by turning the pins to which the strings are fastened.

n. twist or wrench. Music and Dance a key or small wrench for tuning stringed musical instruments, as the harp or piano, by turning the pins to which the strings are fastened. wrest′er, n.