torsion

[ tawr-shuh n ]
/ ˈtɔr ʃən /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR torsion ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

the act of twisting.
the state of being twisted.
Mechanics.
  1. the twisting of a body by two equal and opposite torques.
  2. the internal torque so produced.
Mathematics.
  1. the degree of departure of a curve from a plane.
  2. a number measuring this.

Origin of torsion

1375–1425; 1535–45 for def 1; late Middle English torcion wringing one's bowels < Old French torsion < Late Latin torsiōn- (stem of torsiō) torment, equivalent to tors(us) twisted (see torse) + -iōn- -ion

OTHER WORDS FROM torsion

tor·sion·al, adjective tor·sion·al·ly, adverb

Words nearby torsion

torsade de pointes, torse, torsel, torsi, torsibility, torsion, torsion balance, torsion bar, torsion forceps, torsion fracture, torsion group

Words related to torsion

curve, flourish, convolution, puzzle, twist, winding, perplexity, tangle, web, network, hodgepodge, muddle, mesh, imbroglio, knot, entanglement, morass, bewilderment, skein, uncertainty

Example sentences from the Web for torsion

British Dictionary definitions for torsion

torsion
/ (ˈtɔːʃən) /

noun

  1. the twisting of a part by application of equal and opposite torques at either end
  2. the condition of twist and shear stress produced by a torque on a part or component
the act of twisting or the state of being twisted

Derived forms of torsion

torsional, adjective torsionally, adverb

Word Origin for torsion

C15: from Old French, from medical Latin torsiō griping pains, from Latin torquēre to twist, torture

Medical definitions for torsion

torsion
[ tôr′shən ]

n.

A twisting or rotation of a part on its long axis.
Twisting of the cut end of an artery to arrest hemorrhage.
Ocular rotation around the anteroposterior axis.

Other words from torsion

tor′sion•al adj.

Scientific definitions for torsion

torsion
[ tôr′shən ]

The stress on an object when torque is applied to it.
A mathematical operation in geometry measuring how tightly a plane is twisted.