I. noun
or torc ˈtȯrk
Etymology: French, from Latin torques, from torquēre to twist — more at torture
Date: 1695
: a usually metal collar or neck chain worn by the ancient Gauls, Germans, and Britons
II. noun
Etymology: Latin torquēre to twist
Date: circa 1884
1. : a force that produces or tends to produce rotation or torsion
an automobile engine delivers torque 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
III. transitive verb
( torqued ; torqu·ing )
Date: 1959
: to impart torque to : cause to twist (as about an axis)
• torqu·er noun