wrester
(ˈrɛstə(r))
[f. as prec. + -er1.]
1. One who wrests or wrenches; a twister; † one who tunes with a wrest.
| 1504 Cornishe in Skelton's Wks. (1568) Z vj, Any Instrument mystunyd shall hurt a trew song; Yet blame not the claricord y⊇ wrester doth wrong. 1552 Huloet s.v., Wryste or wrythe, extorqueo. Wryster and wrynger, idem. 1611 Cotgr., Retordeur,..a wrester, a retorter, a wrier backe. |
† b. An implement for picking locks.
Obs.—1| 1591 Greene 2nd Pt. Conny-Catch. Wks. (Grosart) X. 86 The Picklocke is called a Charme. He that watcheth, a Stond. Their engins, Wresters. |
2. One who wrests, strains, or deflects the meaning or application of words, etc.; a perverter, distorter.
| 1533 More Conf. Tindale Wks. 524/1 A false wryther and wrester of holy scripture. 1560 J. Jewel Answ. to Cole I vi, A falsarie, a wrester, a corrupter of the Doctoures. 1598 R. Bernard tr. Terence, Phormio ii. ii, A troubler of good men, and a wrester of lawes. 1629 H. Burton Truth's Triumph 348 All such wresters and peruerters of the truth. 1673 Hickeringill Greg. F. Greyb. 310 Antick foppish jugglers, and wresters of Holy Writ. 1711 Atterbury Serm. (1734) III. 287 In the first of these Senses,..these Wresters of it Bent and Warped the streight Line and Measure of their Duty. 1891 W. C. Wilkinson Epic of Saul i. 21 Those wresters of the law must feel the law. |
| transf. 1589 Puttenham Eng. Poesie iii. vii. (Arb.) 166 To forbid all manner of figuratiue speaches..as meere illusions to the minde, and wresters of vpright iudgement. |