Definitions for: Torsion


[n] a twisting force
[n] a tortuous and twisted shape or position; "they built a tree house in the tortuosities of its boughs"; "the acrobat performed incredible contortions"



Webster (1913) Definition: Tor"sion, n. [F., fr. LL. torsio, fr. L. torquere,
tortum, to twist. See Torture.]
1. The act of turning or twisting, or the state of being
twisted; the twisting or wrenching of a body by the
exertion of a lateral force tending to turn one end or
part of it about a longitudinal axis, while the other is
held fast or turned in the opposite direction.

2. (Mech.) That force with which a thread, wire, or rod of
any material, returns, or tends to return, to a state of
rest after it has been twisted; torsibility.

Angle of torsion (of a curve) (Geom.), the indefinitely
small angle between two consecutive osculating planes of a
curve of double curvature.

Moment of torsion (Mech.) the moment of a pair of equal and
opposite couples which tend to twist a body.

Torsion balance (Physics.), an instrument for estimating
very minute forces, as electric or magnetic attractions
and repulsions, by the torsion of a very slender wire or
fiber having at its lower extremity a horizontal bar or
needle, upon which the forces act.

Torsion scale, a scale for weighing in which the fulcra of
the levers or beams are strained wires or strips acting by
torsion.

Synonyms: contortion, crookedness, torque, tortuosity, tortuousness

See Also: distorted shape, distortion, force, magnetic moment, moment of a magnet

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