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sprain

Pronunciation: /spɹeɪn/

The English word “sprain” has 2 meanings listed here.

verb

  1. To weaken, as a joint, ligament, or muscle, by sudden and excessive exertion, as by wrenching; to overstrain, or stretch injuriously, but without luxation

noun

  1. The act or result of spraining; lameness caused by spraining

Etymology

Origin unknown. Noun attested since 1601; verb attested 1622. Possibly borrowed from Middle French espraindre (“to squeeze or press out”), from Latin exprimere (“to squeeze out, express”), in which case cognate to express.

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