prep. Archaic = *between. [abbreviation]

—n. Chirp of a small bird. —v. Make this noise. [imitative]

archaic it were. [contraction]

n. (also twirp) slang stupid or objectionable person. [origin unknown]

adv. - two times; on two occasions.

- in double degree or quantity (twice as good). [old english: related to *two]

archaic it will. [contraction]

- n. Fabric so woven as to have a surface of diagonal parallel ridges. twilled adj. [old english, = two-thread]

—n. - strong coarse string of twisted strands of fibre.

- coil, twist. —v. (-ning) 1 form (a string etc.) By twisting strands.

- weave (a garland etc.).

- (often foll. By with) garland (a brow etc.).

- (often foll. By round, about) coil or wind.

- refl. (of a plant) grow in this way. [old english]

—v. Spin, swing, or twist quickly and lightly round. —n. - twirling motion.

- flourish made with a pen. [origin uncertain]

var. Of *twerp.

—v. - a change the form of by rotating one end and not the other or the two ends in opposite directions. B undergo such a change. C wrench or pull out of shape with a twisting action (twisted my ankle).

- a wind (strands etc.) About each other. B form (a rope etc.) In this way.

- a give a spiral form to. B take a spiral form.

- (foll. By off) break off by twisting.

- misrepresent the meaning of (words).

- a take a winding course. B make (one's way) in a winding manner.

- colloq. Cheat.

- (as twisted adj.) Derog. (of a person or mind) neurotic; perverted.

- dance the twist. —n. - act of twisting.

- twisted state.

- thing formed by twisting.

- point at which a thing twists or bends.

- usu. Derog. Peculiar tendency of mind or character etc.

- unexpected development of events, esp. In a story etc.

- (prec. By the) popular 1960s dance with a twisting movement of the hips. round the twist slang crazy. Twist a person's arm colloq. Coerce, esp. Using moral pressure. Twist round one's finger easily persuade or dominate (a person). twisty adj. (-ier, -iest). [related to *twin, *twine]