Distort

[Imp. & p. p. DISTORTED; p. pr. & vb. n. DISTORTING.] [Lat. distorquere, distortum, from prefix dis and torquere, to turn about, to twist; It. distorcere, Sp. & Pg. detorcer, Pr. destorser, O. Fr. destordre, N. Fr. détordre, détorquer.

1Sense 1. To twist out of natural or regular shape; as, to distort the limbs, or the body. “Whose face was distorted with pain.” Thackeray.

2Sense 2. To force or put out of the true posture or direction.

Wrath and malice, envy and revenge, distort the understanding. Tillotson.

3Sense 3. To wrest from the true meaning; to pervert; as, to distort passages of Scripture, or their meaning.

Synonyms—To twist; wrest; deform; pervert; bend.