To twist something firmly, make something firm or strong or compact, become hard and strong, contend or litigate in an altercation/dispute vehemently or violently, throw someone down, according to later usage (of the lawyers) to compare evidences [in a discussion with another person or other persons] in order that it might appear which of those evidences was preponderant, compete in disputation or contention and in striving to overcome [thereby], build or construct, rule a thing with lines [such as a book is ruled round a page].