twists

1. 1
   noun

   Plural of twist.

   The mountain trail was full of sharp twists and steep drops.

   Lemon twists garnished the rim of every cocktail at the party.

   Note

   Only the countable uses of the noun take this ending. When twist means a twisting force or the degree of strain in something wound, it behaves as a mass noun and stays singular: too much twist in the cable. Counted things pluralize freely, such as bends in a trail, slivers of lemon peel on a glass, or kinds of two-filament thread. The identical spelling also serves as the verb's present form.

2. 2
   verb

   Third-person singular simple present of twist.

   The river twists through the valley before reaching the sea.

   He twists the wire tightly around the post to secure the fence.

   Note

   Agreement with a singular subject is what this form marks: the river twists, but the rivers twist. It works with an object (twists the wire) and without one (twists through the valley). It also has a reflexive use meaning to wind one's way in by insinuation, as when someone twists himself into another's confidence.

Showing meanings only. Show all 2