n.
Pronunciation: ' to ̇ r-sh ə n
Function: noun
Etymology: Late Latin torsion-, torsio torment, alteration of Latin tortio, from torqu ē re to twist
Date: 1543
1 : the twisting or wrenching of a body by the exertion of forces tending to turn one end or part about a longitudinal axis while the other is held fast or turned in the opposite direction also : the state of being twisted
2 : the twisting of a bodily organ or part on its own axis
3 : the reactive torque that an elastic solid exerts by reason of being under torsion
– tor · sion · al \ ' to ̇ r-shn ə l, -sh ə -n ə l \ adjective
– tor · sion · al · ly adverb