writhe
Pronunciation: (rī), [key]
— v., n. writhed, writh•ing,
—v.i.
- to twist the body about, or squirm, as in pain, violent effort, etc.
- to shrink mentally, as in acute discomfort.
—v.t.
- to twist or bend out of shape or position; distort; contort.
- to twist (oneself, the body, etc.) about, as in pain.
—n.
- a writhing movement; a twisting of the body, as in pain.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.