| torta | <chemistry> A flat heap of moist, crushed silver ore, prepared for the patio process. Origin: Cf. Sp. Torta a cake. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
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| torticollar | Relating to or marked by torticollis. (05 Mar 2000) |
| torticollis | <neurology> A wry neck, a contracted state of the cervical muscles, producing twisting of the neck and an unnatural position of the head. Origin: L. Tortus = twisted, collum = neck (18 Nov 1997) |
| torticollis spastica | Stiff neck due to spasm of the neck muscles. Synonym: intermittent torticollis. (05 Mar 2000) |
| torticollis, spasmodic | Spasmodic torticollis, or torticollis, is the most common of the focal dystonias. In torticollis, the muscles in the neck that control the position of the head are affected, causing the head to twist and turn to one side. In addition, the head may be pulled forward or backward. Called wry neck. (12 Dec 1998) |
| tortipelvis | Twisted pelvis. (05 Mar 2000) |
| tortoise | 1. <zoology> Any one of numerous species of reptiles of the order Testudinata. The term is applied especially to the land and fresh water species, while the marine species are generally called turtles, but the terms tortoise and turtle are used synonymously by many writers. See Testudinata, Terrapin, and Turtle. 2. Same as Testudo. Box tortoise, Land tortoise, etc. See Box, Land, etc. Painted tortoise. Any one of numerous species of small tortoise-shaped beetles. Many of them have a brilliant metallic luster. The larvae feed upon the leaves of various plants, and protect themselves beneath a mass of dried excrement held over the back by means of the caudal spines. The golden tortoise beetle (Cassida aurichalcea) is found on the morning-glory vine and allied plants. Tortoise plant. <botany> The hawkbill turtle. See Hawkbill. Origin: OE. Tortuce, fr. OF. Tortis crooked, fr. L. Tortus isted, crooked, contorted, p.p. Of torquere, tortum, to wind; cf. F. Tortue tortoise, LL. Tortuca, tartuca, Pr. Tortesa crookedness, tortis crooked. So called in allusion to its crooked feet. See Torture. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| tortricid | <zoology> Of or pertaining to Tortix, or the family Tortricidae. See: Tortrix. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| tortrix | 1. <zoology> Any one of numerous species of small moths of the family Tortricidae, the larvae of which usually roll up the leaves of plants on which they live; also called leaf roller. 2. <zoology> A genus of tropical short-tailed snakes, which are not venomous. One species (Tortrix scytalae) is handsomely banded with black, and is sometimes worn alive by the natives of Brazil for a necklace. Origin: NL, fr. L. Torquere, tortum, to twist. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| tortuous | 1. Bent in different directions; wreathed; twisted; winding; as, a tortuous train; a tortuous train; a tortuous leaf or corolla. "The badger made his dark and tortuous hole on the side of every hill where the copsewood grew thick." (Macaulay) 2. Deviating from rectitude; indirect; erroneous; deceitful. "That course became somewhat lesstortuous, when the battle of the Boyne had cowed the spirit of the Jakobites." (Macaulay) 3. Injurious: tortious. 4. <astronomy> Oblique; applied to the six signs of the zodiac (from Capricorn to Gemini) which ascend most rapidly and obliquely. "Infortunate ascendent tortuous." (Chaucer) Tor"tuously, Tor"tuousness. Origin: OE. Tortuos, L.tortuosus, fr.tortus a twisting, winding, fr. Torquere, tortum, to twist: cf. F. Tortueux. See Torture. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| tortuous aorta | <radiology> Hypertension, aortic insufficiency (not AS), coarctation, cystic medial necrosis (Marfan, Ehlers-Danlos, homocystinuria), premature atherosclerosis (chronic renal disease, hypercholesterolaemia) (12 Dec 1998) |
| torture | The intentional infliction of physical or mental suffering upon an individual or individuals, including the torture of animals. (12 Dec 1998) |