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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1976 (SND Vol. X).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

WREST, v., n.¹ Also (w)reist, wreest, wriest, wreast; wraest, wraist (Sh.); wrist; rest. Sc. forms and usages. [rist; I.Sc. rest]

I. v. To sprain or wrench a muscle or joint (Sc. 1808 Jam.; Sh. 1974).Clc. 1709 Masterton Papers (S.H.S.) 483:
I got my wreasted foot 24 Jan.Ayr. 1783 Ayrshire Wreath (1844) 105:
Ne'e a wristed shackle bane.Slg. 1818 W. Muir Poems 73:
A wristed thumb, an aching back.Sh. 1897 Shetland News (11 Sept.):
Mi left shooder is shürely wraestit.s.Sc. 1904 E.D.D.:
I have reisted my wrist.

Combs. wrestin string, -treed, a string or thread wound round a sprained muscle with an incantation as a popular cure (see 1845 quot.).Sh. 1845 Stat. Acc.² XV. 141:
The ‘wresting thread' . . . is a thread spun from black wool, on which are cast nine knots, and tied round a sprained leg or arm. The operator says, but in such a tone of voice as not to be heard by the bystanders, “The Lord rade, and the foal slade, He lighted, and he righted, Set joint to joint, bone to bone, and sinew to sinew. Heal in the Holy Ghost's name.”Sh. 1897 Shetland News (11 Sept.):
I niver kent 'at Kirstin could cast a wraestin' string.Sh. 1899 J. Spence Folk-Lore 158:
In sprained joints the wrestin treed was considered the best remedy. This thread was made of black wool, and knotted in a peculiar way, viz., a knot for every day in the moon's age.Sh. 1949 J. Gray Lowrie 150:
If it doesna aise afore da moarn, I'se git auld Nannie o' da Toogs ta mak a wristin treed.

II. n. A sprain (Sc. 1808 Jam.; Sh. 1974).Abd. 1703 Sc. N. & Q. (May 1923) 75:
His neglect to preach in his house . . . since the time he got the wrest in his ankle.Sc. 1729 R. Wodrow Analecta (M.C.) IV. 46:
A wrest in her arm, which she had gote by a suddain turn in dancing.