screw
UK[skruː]US[skruː]
n
a thin, pointed piece of metal with a raised spiral thread running around it and a slotted head, used to join things together by being turned.
n
a cylindrical rod with a spiral thread or ridge running around the outside of it.
v
to fasten or tighten with a screw or screws.
v
to contort or twist the muscles of (one's face or eyes).
Etymology
the word 'screw' entered english in the early 15th century from middle french 'escroue', denoting a nut or cylindrical socket. the french term likely has its roots in the latin 'scrōfa', meaning a sow. the semantic connection is thought to be metaphorical, perhaps comparing the spiral thread of a screw to the curly shape of a pig's tail, or referring to the cylindrical form of the tool itself. this journey from an animal reference to a mechanical fastener illustrates a classic case of metaphorical extension in language evolution. the verb senses, developing in the late 16th century, naturally extended from the action of turning the fastener.
Analysis
the word is a simplex form. it is a loanword from middle french 'escroue', meaning a female screw, nut, or socket. its ultimate origin is uncertain but may be from latin 'scrōfa', meaning a sow, possibly from the idea of a screw being a cylindrical object or from a pig's curly tail.
Examples
he used a screw to fix the hinge to the door.
the vise has a large screw for applying pressure.
she screwed the lid back onto the jar.