torsion

[tawr-shuh n] /ˈtɔr ʃən/
noun
1.
the act of twisting.
2.
the state of being twisted.
3.
Mechanics.
  1. the twisting of a body by two equal and opposite torques.
  2. the internal torque so produced.
4.
Mathematics.
  1. the degree of departure of a curve from a plane.
  2. a number measuring this.
Origin
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
Related forms
torsional, adjective
torsionally, adverb
Examples from the web for torsion
  • The second are torsion pendulums, which work by hanging a bar that has weights at each end from a wire.
  • Tennis rackets have been strengthened by adding tiny particles that improve torsion and flex resistance.
  • Everything else uses a less sophisticated semi-independent torsion beam.
  • And it does due to an aluminum core and ridiculously stiff torsion.
  • And it does both, due to the aluminum core's ridiculously stiff torsion.
British Dictionary definitions for torsion

torsion

/ˈtɔːʃən/
noun
1.
  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
2.
the act of twisting or the state of being twisted
Derived Forms
torsional, adjective
torsionally, adverb
Word Origin
C15: from Old French, from medical Latin torsiō griping pains, from Latin torquēre to twist, torture
Word Origin and History for torsion
n.

early 15c., "wringing pain in the bowels," from Old French torsion (early 14c.), from Late Latin torsionem (nominative torsio) "a wringing or gripping," from Latin tortionem (nominative tortio) "torture, torment," noun of action from past participle stem of torquere "to twist" (see thwart). Meaning "action or process of twisting as by opposing forces" is first recorded 1540s.

torsion in Medicine

torsion tor·sion (tôr'shən)
n.

  1. A twisting or rotation of a part on its long axis.

  2. Twisting of the cut end of an artery to arrest hemorrhage.

  3. Ocular rotation around the anteroposterior axis.

tor'sion·al adj.
torsion in Science
torsion
  (tôr'shən)   

  1. The stress on an object when torque is applied to it.

  2. A mathematical operation in geometry measuring how tightly a plane is twisted.