First Known Use: 15th century
Dictionary
tortuous
adjective tor·tu·ous \ˈtȯrch-wəs, ˈtȯr-chə-\
: having many twists and turns
: complicated, long, and confusing
Full Definition of TORTUOUS
1
: marked by repeated twists, bends, or turns : winding <a tortuous path>
2
a : marked by devious or indirect tactics : crooked, tricky <a tortuous conspiracy> b : circuitous, involved <the tortuous jargon of legal forms>
— tor·tu·ous·ly adverb
— tor·tu·ous·ness noun
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Origin of TORTUOUS
Middle English, from Middle French tortueux, from Latin tortuosus, from tortus twist, from torquēre to twist
TORTUOUSNESS Defined for Kids
tortuous
adjective tor·tu·ous \ˈtȯr-chə-wəs\
Definition of TORTUOUS for Kids
: having many twists and turns <a tortuous path>
Medical Dictionary
tortuous
adjective tor·tu·ous \ˈtȯrch-(ə-)wəs\
Medical Definition of TORTUOUS
: marked by repeated twists, bends, or turns <a tortuous blood vessel>
—tor·tu·os·i·ty \ˈtȯr-chə-ˈwäs-ət-ē\ noun, plural tor·tu·os·i·ties
—tor·tu·rous·ly adverb
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