Толковый словарь английского языка Oxford English Reference - torsion

n. 1 twisting, esp. of one end of a body while the other is held fixed. 2 Math. the extent to which a curve departs from being planar. 3 Bot. the state of being twisted into a spiral. 4 Med. the twisting of the cut end of an artery after surgery etc. to impede bleeding. Phrases and idioms torsion balance an instrument for measuring very weak forces by their effect upon a system of fine twisted wire. torsion bar a bar forming part of a vehicle suspension, twisting in response to the motion of the wheels, and absorbing their vertical movement. torsion pendulum a pendulum working by rotation rather than by swinging. Derivatives torsional adj. torsionally adv. torsionless adj. Etymology: ME f. OF f. LL torsio -onis f. L tortio (as TORT)