Library / English Dictionary

SPRAIN

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (noun) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

A painful injury to a joint caused by a sudden wrenching of its ligaments

Classified under:

Nouns denoting stable states of affairs

Hypernyms ("sprain" is a kind of...):

pull; twist; wrench (a sharp strain on muscles or ligaments)

Derivation:

sprain (twist suddenly so as to sprain)

 II. (verb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Twist suddenly so as to sprain

Example:

I turned my ankle and couldn't walk for several days

Synonyms:

rick; sprain; turn; twist; wrench; wrick

Classified under:

Verbs of grooming, dressing and bodily care

Hypernyms (to "sprain" is one way to...):

injure; wound (cause injuries or bodily harm to)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Sentence example:

Did he sprain his foot?

Derivation:

sprain (a painful injury to a joint caused by a sudden wrenching of its ligaments)

Credits

 Context examples: 

I don't believe fine young ladies enjoy themselves a bit more than we do, in spite of our burned hair, old gowns, one glove apiece and tight slippers that sprain our ankles when we are silly enough to wear them.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

Causes of muscle disorders include: • Injury or overuse, such as sprains or strains, cramps or tendinitis • A genetic disorder, such as muscular dystrophy • Some cancers • Inflammation, such as myositis • Diseases of nerves that affect muscles • Infections • Certain medicines

(Muscle Disorders, NIH)

Yes, and Miss Adele; they are in the dining-room, and John is gone for a surgeon; for master has had an accident; his horse fell and his ankle is sprained.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)

A sprain is an injury to the ligaments.

(Ankle Injuries and Disorders, NIH)

Poor Brandon! he is quite smitten already, and he is very well worth setting your cap at, I can tell you, in spite of all this tumbling about and spraining of ankles.

(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)

"I've sprained my ankle. That stupid high heel turned and gave me a sad wrench. It aches so, I can hardly stand, and I don't know how I'm ever going to get home," she said, rocking to and fro in pain.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

When his sprain was well enough to admit of horse exercise, he rode out a good deal; probably to return these visits, as he generally did not come back till late at night.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)

Ankle sprains and fractures are common sports injuries.

(Ankle Injuries and Disorders, NIH)

"Thank you: I shall do: I have no broken bones,—only a sprain;" and again he stood up and tried his foot, but the result extorted an involuntary "Ugh!"

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)

Having once caught the bridle, he mastered it directly and sprang to his saddle; grimacing grimly as he made the effort, for it wrenched his sprain.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)