Wry (?), v. t. [AS. wreon.]

To cover.

[Obs.]

Wrie you in that mantle. Chaucer.

 

© Webster 1913.


Wry (?), a. [Compar. Wrier (?); superl. Wriest.] [Akin to OE. wrien to twist, to bend, AS. wrigian to tend towards, to drive.]

1.

Turned to one side; twisted; distorted; as, a wry mouth.

2.

Hence, deviating from the right direction; misdirected; out of place; as, wry words.

Not according to the wry rigor of our neighbors, who never take up an old idea without some extravagance in its application. Landor.

3.

Wrested; perverted.

He . . . puts a wry sense upon Protestant writers. Atterbury.

Wry face, a distortion of the countenance indicating impatience, disgust, or discomfort; a grimace.

 

© Webster 1913.


Wry, v. i.

1.

To twist; to writhe; to bend or wind.

2.

To deviate from the right way; to go away or astray; to turn side; to swerve.

This Phebus gan awayward for to wryen. Chaucer.

How many Must murder wives much better than themselves For wrying but a little! Shak.

 

© Webster 1913.


Wry, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Wried; p. pr. & vb. n. Wrying.] [OE. wrien. See Wry, a.]

To twist; to distort; to writhe; to wrest; to vex.

Sir P. Sidney.

Guests by hundreds, not one caring If the dear host's neck were wried. R. Browning.

 

© Webster 1913.

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