Dictionary entry

Wry (2)

Webster's Dictionary 1913

Wry (?), a. [Compar.Wrier (?); superl.Wriest.] [Akin to OE. wrien to twist, to bend, AS. wrigian to tend towards, to drive.]

1. Turned to one side; twisted; distorted; as, a wry mouth.

2. Hence, deviating from the right direction; misdirected; out of place; as, wry words.

Not according to the wry rigor of our neighbors, who never take up an old idea without some extravagance in its application. Landor.

3. Wrested; perverted.

He... puts a wry sense upon Protestant writers. Atterbury.

Wry face, a distortion of the countenance indicating impatience, disgust, or discomfort; a grimace.