Definition of Sprain

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

Generic synonyms: Pull, Twist, Wrench

2. Verb. Twist suddenly so as to sprain. "Did he sprain his foot? "; "I turned my ankle and couldn't walk for several days"
Exact synonyms: Rick, Turn, Twist, Wrench, Wrick
Generic synonyms: Injure, Wound
Derivative terms: Rick, Twist, Wrench, Wrick

Definition of Sprain

1. v. t. To weaken, as a joint, ligament, or muscle, by sudden and excessive exertion, as by wrenching; to overstrain, or stretch injuriously, but without luxation; as, to sprain one's ankle.

2. n. The act or result of spraining; lameness caused by spraining; as, a bad sprain of the wrist.

Definition of Sprain

1. Noun. The act or result of spraining; lameness caused by spraining; as, a bad sprain of the wrist. ¹

2. Verb. To weaken, as a joint, ligament, or muscle, by sudden and excessive exertion, as by wrenching; to overstrain, or stretch injuriously, but without luxation; as, to sprain one's ankle. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Sprain

1. to weaken by a sudden and violent twisting or wrenching [v -ED, -ING, -S]

Medical Definition of Sprain

1. A tearing injury to ligaments. Sprains can be minor, with only a slight stress to the ligament or may be severe with total separation of a ligament that supports a joint. Sprain (knee joint): Any injury to one of six different ligaments which stabilise the knee joint. Those ligaments include: medial and lateral collaterals, medial and lateral meniscus and the anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments. Knee sprains are characterised by knee pain, swelling and tenderness with range of motion. Severe sprains may result in a knee joint effusion (blood inside the joint). Completely torn ligaments may require surgical repair to reestablish knee joint stability. (27 Sep 1997)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Sprain

sprachgefuhls
sprack
sprackle
sprackled
sprackles
sprad
spraddle
spraddled
spraddles
spraddling
sprag
spragged
spragging
sprags
spraid
sprain (current term)
sprain fracture
sprain one's ankle
sprained
spraining
sprains
sprains and strains
spraint
spraints
sprang
sprangle
sprangled
sprangles
sprangs
sprant

Literary usage of Sprain

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. The Dublin Journal of Medical Science (1885)
"In order not to fall into an error which would be decidedly disadvantageous to the patient, it should be noticed that in peroneo-tibial sprain the ..."

2. The British and Foreign Medico-chirurgical Review, Or, Quarterly Journal of (1852)
"On the Treatment of sprain by Hot Water. By Dr. JACKSON. WE had recently (vol. vi. p. 542) occasion to refer to M. Baudens' mode of treating sprain by the ..."

3. Veterinary Notes for Horse Owners: A Manual of Horse Medicine and Surgery by Matthew Horace Hayes (1903)
"A sprain is an injury to ligament, tendon, joint, or muscle, ... STRUCTURES LIABLE TO sprain.—The ligaments which are specially exposed to this accident, ..."

4. Domestic Animals, History and Description of the Horse, Mule, Cattle, Sheep by Richard Lamb Allen (1856)
"sprain of the Coffin-Joint. The proof of this is when the lameness is sudden, and the heat and tenderness are principally felt round the coronet. Remedy. ..."

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