wrestle
Meaning
to fight with someone, especially as a sport, by holding them and trying to throw or force them to the ground
to struggle to deal with or overcome a difficult problem or strong emotion
a sport or contest in which two people fight by holding each other and trying to throw or force each other to the ground
Usage
the two brothers used to wrestle on the living room floor.
she has been wrestling with the complex mathematical proof for weeks.
he won a gold medal in freestyle wrestle at the competition.
Etymology
The word 'wrestle' originates from the Old English verb 'wrǣstlian', a frequentative form of 'wrǣstan', meaning 'to twist, wrench'. This Old English root is related to other Germanic words implying twisting or bending, such as Old Norse 'reista' (to wrest). The core semantic thread from its Proto-Germanic ancestor involves the concept of twisting or turning, which is vividly embodied in the physical grappling and contortions of the sport. Over time, the meaning specialized to denote the regulated combat sport, while also extending metaphorically to describe any intense struggle requiring forceful effort to overcome.
Analysis
The word is a simplex form derived from Old English. It is not productively composed of separable Modern English morphemes.