Screw (skrṳ), v. t. [imp. & p. p.Screwed (skrṳd); p. pr. & vb. n.Screwing.] 1. To turn, as a screw; to apply a screw to; to press, fasten, or make firm, by means of a screw or screws; as, to screw a lock on a door; to screw a press.
2. To force; to squeeze; to press, as by screws.
But screw your courage to the sticking place,
And we'll not fail. Shak.
3. Hence: To practice extortion upon; to oppress by unreasonable or extortionate exactions.
Our country landlords, by unmeasurable screwing and racking their tenants, have already reduced the miserable people to a worse condition than the peasants in France. swift.
4. To twist; to distort; as, to screw his visage.
He screwed his face into a hardened smile. Dryden.
5. To examine rigidly, as a student; to subject to a severe examination.
To screw out, to press out; to extort. — To screw up, to force; to bring by violent pressure. Howell. — To screw in, to force in by turning or twisting.