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wry

(rī)

adj. wri·er (rīər), wri·est (rīĭst) or wry·er or wry·est

1. Funny in an understated, sarcastic, or ironic way: a wry sense of humor.

2. Temporarily twisted in an expression of distaste or displeasure: made a wry face.

3. Archaic Abnormally twisted or bent to one side; crooked: a wry nose.

[From Middle English wrien, to turn, from Old English wrīgian; see wer-² in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.]

wryly adv.

wryness n.

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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