Screw  —n. 1 thin cylinder or cone with a spiral ridge or thread running round the outside (male screw) or the inside (female screw). 2 (in full wood-screw) metal male screw with a slotted head and a sharp point. 3 (in full screw-bolt) blunt metal male screw on which a nut is threaded to bolt things together. 4 straight screw used to exert pressure. 5 (in sing. Or pl.) Instrument of torture acting in this way. 6 (in full screw-propeller) propeller with twisted blades acting like a screw on the water or air. 7 one turn of a screw. 8 (foll. By of) small twisted-up paper (of tobacco etc.). 9 (in billiards etc.) An oblique curling motion of the ball. 10 slang prison warder. 11 coarse slang a act of sexual intercourse. B partner in this. —v. 1 fasten or tighten with a screw or screws. 2 turn (a screw). 3 twist or turn round like a screw. 4 (of a ball etc.) Swerve. 5 (foll. By out of) extort (consent, money, etc.) From. 6 (also absol.) Coarse slang have sexual intercourse with. 7 swindle.  have a screw loose colloq. Be slightly crazy. Put the screws on colloq. Pressurize, intimidate. Screw up 1 contract or contort (one's face etc.). 2 contract and crush (a piece of paper etc.) Into a tight mass. 3 summon up (one's courage etc.). 4 slang a bungle. B spoil (an event, opportunity, etc.). C upset, disturb mentally. [french escroue]