tortuous

[ tawr-choo-uhs ]
/ ˈtɔr tʃu əs /

adjective

full of twists, turns, or bends; twisting, winding, or crooked: a tortuous path.
not direct or straightforward, as in procedure or speech; intricate; circuitous: tortuous negotiations lasting for months.
deceitfully indirect or morally crooked, as proceedings, methods, or policy; devious.

Origin of tortuous

1350–1400; Middle English < Latin tortuōsus, equivalent to tortu(s) a twisting ( tor(quēre) to twist, bend + -tus suffix of v. action) + -ōsus -ous

usage note for tortuous

See torturous.

OTHER WORDS FROM tortuous

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH tortuous

tortuous torturous (see usage note at torturous)

Example sentences from the Web for tortuous

British Dictionary definitions for tortuous

tortuous
/ (ˈtɔːtjʊəs) /

adjective

twisted or winding a tortuous road
devious or cunning a tortuous mind
intricate

Derived forms of tortuous

tortuously, adverb tortuousness, noun

Medical definitions for tortuous

tortuous
[ tôrchōō-əs ]

adj.

Having many turns; winding or twisting.