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Glite Dictionary
writhen

writhen

9.9
Twisted into a shape that looks like someone in pain
  • adjective
  • Archaic
translation icon : retorcido
  • The trunks of the cypresses, some of them 500 years old, have the writhen look of tree trunks in Chinese paintings.

Examples

  • The injured animal was writhen with pain, struggling to move away from the trap.

  • The snake lay on the ground, its body in a writhen shape as it navigated through the underbrush.

  • She winced at the sight of the writhen sculpture, which seemed to depict a figure in agony.

Synonyms

contorted
vswrithen
2 6.4

Twisted out of its normal shape, often because of pain or effort

focuses more on a twisted form especially linked to pain or struggle
writhed
vswrithen
7.6

Twisted in a way that shows pain or struggle

has identical meaning but is a different form or spelling
writhing
vswrithen
6.0

Moving by twisting and turning like a snake

describes the twisted shape rather than the ongoing twisting movement
distorted
vswrithen
4.4

Twisted out of shape so it looks ugly or unnatural

emphasizes twisting from pain or struggle rather than ugly deformation

Antonyms

straight
442 1.0

In a direct line without curves or bends

unbent
1 4.6

Straight in shape or standing with a straight back

How Contorted

writhen
  • Archaic
9.9
contorted
2 6.4
bent
21 1.0

Surface Forms

writhen positive

Morphology

writhen = writhe (semi-transparent) = writhe + en

The form appears to be the past-participial/adjectival '-en' of 'writhe', so the meaning is directly related but the '-en' participial formation is archaic and may be unfamiliar to learners.

Etymology

Writhen comes from an old English verb wrīthan that means 'to twist' and is the same root as the modern verb writhe. So, picture a body or branch twisting in pain or struggle—this image shows why writhen means 'twisted or contorted'.