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wrest (v.)

Old English wræstan "to twist, wrench," from Proto-Germanic *wraistjan (source of Old Norse reista "to bend, twist"), from *wreik- "to turn," from PIE root *wer- (2) "to turn, bend." Meaning "to pull, detach" (something) is recorded from c. 1300. Meaning "to take by force" (in reference to power, authority, etc.) is attested from early 15c. Related: Wrested; wresting.

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Definitions of wrest from WordNet

wrest (v.)
obtain by seizing forcibly or violently, also metaphorically;
wrest the knife from his hands
wrest a meaning from the old text
wrest power from the old government
From wordnet.princeton.edu