1a. A cylindrical rod incised with one or more helical or advancing spiral threads, as a lead screw or worm screw. b. The tapped collar or socket that receives this rod. 2. A metal pin with incised threads and a broad slotted head that can be driven as a fastener by turning with a screwdriver, especially: a. A tapered and pointed wood screw. b. A cylindrical and flat-tipped machine screw. 3. A device having a helical form, such as a corkscrew. 4. A propeller. 5. A twist or turn of or as if of a screw. 6.Slanga. A prison guard. b. The turnkey of a jail. 7.Vulgar Slang The act or an instance of having sexual intercourse. 8.Chiefly British Slanga. Salary; wages. b. A small paper packet, as of tobacco. c. An old broken-down horse. d. A stingy or crafty bargainer.
VERB:
Inflected forms: screwed, screw·ing, screws
TRANSITIVE VERB:
1. To drive or tighten (a screw). 2a. To fasten, tighten, or attach by or as if by means of a screw. b. To attach (a tapped or threaded fitting or cap) by twisting into place. c. To rotate (a part) on a threaded axis. 3. To contort (one's face). 4.Slang To take advantage of; cheat: screwed me out of the most lucrative sales territory.5.Vulgar Slang To have sexual intercourse with.
INTRANSITIVE VERB:
1. To turn or twist. 2a. To become attached by means of the threads of a screw. b. To be capable of such attachment. 3.Vulgar Slang To have sexual intercourse.
PHRASAL VERBS:
screw around1.Slang To act or fool around aimlessly or in a confused way and accomplish nothing. 2.Vulgar Slang To be sexually promiscuous. screw up1. To muster or summon up: screwed up my courage.2.Slang To make a mess of (an undertaking). 3.Slang To injure; damage: Lifting those boxes really screwed up my back.4.Slang To make neurotic or anxious.
IDIOM:
have a screw looseSlang1. To behave in an eccentric manner. 2. To be insane.
ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English skrewe, from Old French escrove, female screw, nut, perhaps from Medieval Latin scrfa, from Latin, sow. See sker-1 in Appendix I.
skr
fa, from Latin, sow. See sker-1 in Appendix I.
a·ble —ADJECTIVE
