[torque] n [F, fr. L torques, fr. torquere to twist--more at torture] (1695): a usu. metal collar or neck chain worn by the ancient Gauls, Germans, and Britons
[2]torque n [L torquere to twist] (ca. 1884) 1: a force that produces or tends to produce rotation or torsion "an automobile engine delivers ~ to the drive shaft"; also: a measure of the effectiveness of such a force that consists of the product of the force and the perpendicular distance from the line of action of the force to the axis of rotation
2: a turning or twisting force [3]torque vt torqued ; torqu.ing (1959): to impart torque to: cause to twist (as about an axis) -- torqu.er n