screw
1. screw \'skru:\ \-.li-k\ n [ME, fr. MF escroe female screw, nut, fr. ML
scrofa, fr. L, sow] 1a: a mechanical device consisting in its simplest form
of a continuous hel ical rib with the cylindrical or conical shank from
which it projects 1b: the corresponding part into which an external screw
advances and fits w hen turned 2a: a screwlike form : SPIRAL 2b: a turn of
a screw; also : a twist like the turn of a screw 2c: a screwlike device
(as a corkscrew) 3: a worn-out horse chiefly Brit 4: a small packet (as
of tobacco or pepper) 5: a sharp bargainer : SKINFLINT 6: a prison guard
: TURNKEY 7: SCREW PROPELLER 8: THUMBSCREW - screw.like aj
2. screw vt 1a1: to attach, fasten, or close by means of a screw 1a2: to
unite or separate by means of a screw or a twisting motion {~ the two
pieces together} 1a3: to press tightly in a device (as a vise) operated by
a screw 1a4: to operate, tighten, or adjust by means of a screw 1a5: to
torture by means of a thumbscrew 1b: to cause to rotate spirally about an
axis 2a1: to twist into strained configurations : CONTORT 2a2: SQUINT
2a3: CRUMPLE 2b: to furnish with a spiral groove or ridge : THREAD 3: to
increase the intensity, quantity, or capability of 4a: to practice
extortion upon : OPPRESS 4b: to extract by pressure or threat 1: to
rotate like or as a screw 2: to turn or move with a twisting or writhing
motion - screw.er n