1. <anatomy> The joint, or the region of the joint, between the hand and the arm; the carpus. See Carpus. "He took me by the wrist, and held me hard." (Shak)
2. <machinery> A stud or pin which forms a journal; also called wrist pin. Bridle wrist, the wrist of the left hand, in which a horseman holds the bridle. Wrist clonus. [NL. Clonus, fr. Gr. See Clonic.
A swinging plate bearing two or more wrists, for operating the valves.
Origin: OE. Wriste, wrist, AS. Wrist; akin to OFries. Wriust, LG. Wrist, G. Rist wrist, instep, Icel. Rist instep, Dan. & Sw. Vrist, and perhaps to E. Writhe.
Source: Websters Dictionary
(01 Mar 1998)