twirl, twist, play with
捻 centers on applying rotational force with the fingers: twirling, twisting, or fiddling with something by turning it.
捻 combines 扌 (hand) with 念, which likely contributes the sound ネン and the idea of pressing or twisting with the fingers.
A hand 扌 beside 念: imagine your fingers twisting and twirling a small object while you concentrate on it.
For ネン, picture twisting a pen between your fingers: pen -> ネン, and your hand twirls it around.
to twist; to wrench; to turn (a tap, switch, etc.)
managing (to raise funds, find time, etc.); contriving; scraping together (money)
sprain; twist; wrench
twist; spin
twisting; torsion
to work out; to think up; to devise; to come up with
monetary offering (or gift) wrapped in paper
twisting overarm throw
twisting underarm throw
clasped-hand twist down
arm-locking twist down
to twirl; to spin
to become twisted; to grow distorted; to be curved; to bend
to get twisted; to get warped; to get distorted; to twist; to warp
twisted Chinese bellflower crest
twisting techniques
to pinch and crush; to pinch out
Nian Rebellion (of China; 1851-1868)
crepitus; crepitation
rolling freshly picked tea-leaves; crushing tea