sprained

UK: spreɪnd | US: spreɪnd

Definition
  1. adj. (of a joint, especially a wrist or ankle) twisted or wrenched painfully, resulting in ligament damage but not dislocation.

  2. vt. past tense of sprain: to injure (a joint) by sudden twisting or wrenching.

Structure
sprain <to twist violently>ed <past participle suffix>
Etymology

sprained = sprain<to twist violently> + ed<past participle suffix>

  • sprain: From Old French espreindre ("to press out, wrench"), derived from Latin exprimere ("to press out"). The sense shifted from "press" to "twist violently" in Middle English.
  • -ed: A common English suffix indicating past tense or past participle.

Etymology Origin:
The word sprain originated from the idea of "pressing out" or "wrenching," reflecting the physical action of twisting a joint beyond its normal range. Over time, it specialized to describe ligament injuries caused by such motion. The addition of -ed marks it as a past action or state.

Examples
  1. She sprained her ankle while hiking on uneven terrain.

  2. The athlete was sidelined for weeks after he sprained his wrist during the game.

  3. A sprained knee can take longer to heal than a fracture.

  4. He winced in pain after realizing he had sprained his thumb.

  5. Proper first aid can reduce swelling in a sprained joint.