Emily Dickinson Lexicon

TWIST, v.t. [Sax. getwistan; D. twisten, to dispute, Sw. tvista; Dan. tvister, to dispute, to litigate; G. zwist, a dispute. In all the dialects except ours, this word is used figuratively, but it is remarkably expressive and well applied.]

1. To unite by winding one thread, strand or other flexible substance round another; to form by convolution, or winding separate things round each other; as, to twist yarn thread. So we say, to double and twist.
2. To form into a thread from many fine filaments; as, to twist wool or cotton.
3. To contort; to writhe; as, to twist a thing into a serpentine form. Pope.
4. To wreathe; to wind; to encircle. Pillars of smoke twisted about with wreaths of flame. Burnet.
5. To form; to weave; as, to twist a story. Shak.
6. To unite by intertexture of parts; as, to twist bays with ivy. Waller.
7. To unite; to enter by winding; to insinuate; as, avarice twists itself into all human concerns.
8. To pervert; as, to twist a passage in an author.
9. To turn from a straight line.