n. 1 twisting, esp. of one end of a body while the other is held fixed. 2 Math. the extent to which a curve departs from being planar. 3 Bot. the state of being twisted into a spiral. 4 Med. the twisting of the cut end of an artery after surgery etc. to impede bleeding. torsion balance an instrument for measuring very weak forces by their effect upon a system of fine twisted wire. torsion bar a bar forming part of a vehicle suspension, twisting in response to the motion of the wheels, and absorbing their vertical movement. torsion pendulum a pendulum working by rotation rather than by swinging. torsional adj. torsionally adv. torsionless adj.
[ ME f. OF f. LL torsio -onis f. L tortio (as TORT) ]