TORSION

[tor.sion] n [LL torsion-, torsio torment, alter. of L tortio, fr. torquere to twist] (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 adj -- tor.sion.al.ly adv