adj.
Pronunciation: ' to ̇ rch-w ə s, ' to ̇ r-ch ə -
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French tortueux, from Latin tortuosus, from tortus twist, from torqu ē re to twist
Date: 15th century
1 : marked by repeated twists, bends, or turns : WINDING <a tortuous path>
2 a : marked by devious or indirect tactics : CROOKED , TRICKY <a tortuous conspiracy> b : CIRCUITOUS , INVOLVED <the tortuous jargon of legal forms>
– tor · tu · ous · ly adverb
– tor · tu · ous · ness noun