Tormina - Tortrix
Prev Next[
Webster]
Tormina (?), n. pl. [L., a griping in the belly.] (Med.) acute, colicky pains; gripes.
[ Webster]
Torminous (?), a. (Med.) Affected with tormina; griping.
[ Webster]
Torn (?), p. p. of .
[ Webster]
Tornado (?), n.; pl. Tornadoes (#). [From Sp. or Pg. tornar to turn, return, L. tornare to turn, hence, a whirling wind. The Sp. & Pg. tornada is a return. See .] A violent whirling wind; specifically (Meteorol.), a tempest distinguished by a rapid whirling and slow progressive motion, usually accompaned with severe thunder, lightning, and torrents of rain, and commonly of short duration and small breadth; a small cyclone.
[ Webster]
Tornaria (?), n.; pl. Tornariæ (#). [NL., fr. L. tornare to turn.] (Zoöl.) The peculiar free swimming larva of Balanoglossus. See Illust. in Append.
[ Webster]
Torose (?), a. [L. torosus full of muscle, brawny, fleshy. See .] Cylindrical with alternate swellings and contractions; having the surface covered with rounded prominences.
[ Webster]
Torosity (?), n. The quality or state of being torose.
[ Webster]
Torous (?), a. Torose.
[ Webster]
Torpedinous (?), a. Of or pertaining to a torpedo; resembling a torpedo; exerting a benumbing influence; stupefying; dull; torpid.
[ Webster]
Fishy were his eyes; torpedinous was his manner.
De Quincey.
[ Webster]
Torpedo (?), n.; pl. Torpedoes (#). [L. torpedo, -inis, from torpere to be stiff, numb, or torpid. See .]
[ Webster]
1. (Zoöl.) Any one of numerous species of elasmobranch fishes belonging to Torpedo and allied genera. They are related to the rays, but have the power of giving electrical shocks. Called also crampfish, and numbfish. See Electrical fish, under .
[ Webster]
☞ The common European torpedo (Torpedo vulgaris) and the American species (Torpedo occidentalis) are the best known.
[ Webster]
2. An engine or machine for destroying ships by blowing them up; a mine{4}. Specifically: --
[ Webster +PJC]
(a) A quantity of explosives anchored in a channel, beneath the water, or set adrift in a current, and so designed that they will explode when touched or approached by a vessel, or when an electric circuit is closed by an operator on shore; now called marine mine. [obsolete]
[ Webster +PJC]
Damn the torpedoes -- full speed ahead!
Adm. David Glasgow Farragut (At the battle of Mobile Bay, 1864).
(b) A kind of small submarine boat carrying an explosive charge, and projected from a ship against another ship at a distance, or made self-propelling, and otherwise automatic in its action against a distant ship.
[ Webster]
3. (Mil.) A kind of shell or cartridge buried in earth, to be exploded by electricity or by stepping on it; now called land mine. [obsolete]
[ Webster +PJC]
4. (Railroad) A kind of detonating cartridge or shell placed on a rail, and exploded when crushed under the locomotive wheels, -- used as an alarm signal.
[ Webster]
5. An explosive cartridge or shell lowered or dropped into a bored oil well, and there exploded, to clear the well of obstructions or to open communication with a source of supply of oil.
[ Webster]
6. A kind of firework in the form of a small ball, or pellet, which explodes when thrown upon a hard object.
[ Webster]
7. An automobile with a . [Archaic Cant]
[Webster Suppl. +PJC]
Coloq. Fish torpedo , a spindle-shaped, or fish-shaped, self-propelling submarine torpedo. -- Coloq. Spar torpedo , a canister or other vessel containing an explosive charge, and attached to the end of a long spar which projects from a ship or boat and is thrust against an enemy's ship, exploding the torpedo. -- Coloq. Torpedo boat , a vessel adapted for carrying, launching, operating, or otherwise making use of, torpedoes against an enemy's ship., especially, a small, fast boat with tubes for launching torpedoes. -- Coloq. Torpedo nettings , nettings made of chains or bars, which can be suspended around a vessel and allowed to sink beneath the surface of the water, as a protection against torpedoes.
[ Webster]
Torpedo, v. t. 1. to destroy by, or subject to the action of, a torpedo. London Spectator.
[ Webster]
2. [Fig.] To destroy, cause to halt, or prevent from being accomplished; -- used esp. with reference to a plan or an enterprise, halted by some action before the plan is put into execution.
[PJC]
Torpedo-boat destroyer. A larger, swifter, and more powerful armed type of torpedo boat, originally intended principally for the destruction of torpedo boats, but later used also as a more formidable torpedo boat.
[Webster Suppl.]
Torpedo body. An automobile body which is built so that the side surfaces are flush. [Cant]
[Webster Suppl.]
Torpedo boom. A spar formerly carried by men-of-war, having a torpedo on its end.
[Webster Suppl.]
Torpedo catcher. A small fast vessel for pursuing and destroying torpedo boats.
[Webster Suppl.]
Torpedoist, n. (Nav.) One skilled in the theory or use of torpedoes; also, one who favors the use of torpedoes.
[Webster Suppl.]
Torpedo shell. (Ordnance) A shell longer than a deck-piercing shell, with thinner walls and a larger cavity for the bursting charge, which consists of about 130 pounds of high explosive. It has no soft cap, and is intended to effect its damage by the powerful explosion which follows on slight resistance. It is used chiefly in 12-inch mortars.
[Webster Suppl.]
Torpedo station. A headquarters for torpedo vessels and their supplies, usually having facilities for repairs and for instruction and experiments. The principal torpedo station of the United States is at Newport, R.I.
[Webster Suppl.]
Torpedo stern. A broad stern without overhang, flattened on the bottom, used in some torpedo and fast power boats. It prevents settling in the water at high speed.
[Webster Suppl.]
Torpedo tube. (Nav.) A tube fixed below or near the water line through which a torpedo is fired, usually by a small charge of gunpowder. On torpedo vessels the tubes are on deck and usually in broadside, on larger vessels usually submerged in broadside and fitted with a movable shield which is pushed out from the vessel's side to protect the torpedo until clear, but formerly sometimes in the bow. In submarine torpedo boats they are in the bow.
[Webster Suppl.]
Torpent (?), a. [L. torpens, p. pr. of torpere to be numb.] Having no motion or activity; incapable of motion; benumbed; torpid. [Obs.] Evelyn.
[ Webster]
Torpescence (?), n. The quality or state or being torpescent; torpidness; numbness; stupidity.
[ Webster]
Torpescent (?), a. [L. torpescens, p. pr. of torpescere to grow stiff, numb, or torpid, incho. fr. torpere. See .] Becoming torpid or numb. Shenstone.
[ Webster]
Torpid (tôrpĭd), a. [L. torpidus, fr. torpere to be stiff, numb, or torpid; of uncertain origin.] 1. Having lost motion, or the power of exertion and feeling; numb; benumbed; as, a torpid limb.
[ Webster]
Without heat all things would be torpid.
Ray.
[ Webster]
2. Dull; stupid; sluggish; inactive. Sir M. Hale.
[ Webster]
Torpid (?), n. [See , a.] [Slang, Oxford University, Eng.] 1. An inferior racing boat, or one who rows in such a boat.
[Webster Suppl.]
2. pl. The Lenten rowing races.
[Webster Suppl.]
Torpidity (?), n. Same as .
[ Webster]
Torpidly (?), adv. In a torpid manner.
[ Webster]
Torpidness, n. The qualityy or state of being torpid.
[ Webster]
Torpify (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Torpified (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Torpifying. (�).] [L. torpere to be torpid + -fy.] To make torpid; to numb, or benumb.
[ Webster]
Torpitude (?), n. Torpidness. [Obs.] “In a kind of torpitude, or sleeping state.” Derham.
[ Webster]
Torpor (?), n. [L., from torpere, to be torpid.]
[ Webster]
1. Loss of motion, or of the motion; a state of inactivity with partial or total insensibility; numbness.
[ Webster]
2. Dullness; sluggishness; inactivity; as, a torpor of the mental faculties.
[ Webster]
Torporific (?), a. [L. torpor torpor + facere to make.] Tending to produce torpor.
[ Webster]
Torquate (?), a. [L. torquatus wearing a collar.] (Zoöl.) Collared; having a torques, or distinct colored ring around the neck.
[ Webster]
torquated (?), a. [L. Torqyatus.] Having or wearing a torque, or neck chain.
[ Webster]
Torque (?), n. [L. torques a twisted neck chain, fr. torquere to twist.] 1. A collar or neck chain, usually twisted, especially as worn by ancient barbaric nations, as the Gauls, Germans, and Britons.
[ Webster]
2. [L. torquere to twist.] (Mech.) That which tends to produce torsion; a couple of forces. J. Thomson.
[ Webster]
3. (Phys. Science) A turning or twisting; tendency to turn, or cause to turn, about an axis.
[ Webster]
Torqued (?), a. [L. torquere to twist, to turn, to wind.] 1. Wreathed; twisted. [R.]
[ Webster]
2. (Her.) Twisted; bent; -- said of a dolphin haurient, which forms a figure like the letter S.
[ Webster]
Torques (?), n. [L., a necklace. See , 1.] (Zoöl.) A cervical ring of hair or feathers, distinguished by its color or structure; a collar.
[ Webster]
Torrefaction (?), n. [L. torrefacere,torrefactum, to torrefy: cf. F. torréfaction. See .] The act or process of torrefying, or the state of being torrefied. Bp. Hall.
[ Webster]
Torrefy (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Torrefied (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Torrefying.] [L. torrere to parch + -fy: cf. F. torréfier, L. torrefacere.] [Written also torrify.] 1. To dry by a fire. Sir T. Browne.
[ Webster]
2. (Metal.) To subject to scorching heat, so as to drive off volatile ingredients; to roast, as ores.
[ Webster]
3. (Pharm.) To dry or parch, as drugs, on a metallic plate till they are friable, or are reduced to the state desired.
[ Webster]
Torrens system (?). A system of registration of titles to land (as distinct from registration of deeds) introduced into South Australia by the Real Property (or Torrens) Act (act 15 of 1857-58), drafted by Sir Robert Torrens (1814-84). Its essential feature is the guaranty by the government of properly registered titles. The system has been generally adopted in Australia and British Columbia, and in its original or a modified form in some other countries, including some States of the United States. Hence Coloq. Torrens title , etc.
[Webster Suppl.]
Torrent (?), n. [F., fr. L. torrens, -entis, fr. torrens burning, roaring, boiling, p. pr. of torrere to dry by heat, to burn. See .] 1. A violent stream, as of water, lava, or the like; a stream suddenly raised and running rapidly, as down a precipice.
[ Webster]
The roaring torrent is deep and wide.
Longfellow.
[ Webster]
2. Fig.: A violent or rapid flow; a strong current; a flood; as, a torrent of vices; a torrent of eloquence.
[ Webster]
At length, Erasmus, that great injured name, . . .
Stemmed the wild torrent of a barbarous age.
Pope.
[ Webster]
Torrent, a. [See , n.] Rolling or rushing in a rapid stream. “Waves of torrent fire.” Milton.
[ Webster]
{ Torrential (?), Torrentine (?), } a. Of or pertaining to a torrent; having the character of a torrent; caused by a torrent . [R.]
[ Webster]
Torricellian (?), a. Of or pertaining to Torricelli, an Italian philosopher and mathematician, who, in 1643, discovered that the rise of a liquid in a tube, as in the barometer, is due to atmospheric pressure. See .
[ Webster]
Coloq. Torricellian tube , a glass tube thirty or more inches in length, open at the lower end and hermetically sealed at the upper, such as is used in the barometer. -- Coloq. Torricellian vacuum (Physics), a vacuum produced by filling with a fluid, as mercury, a tube hermetically closed at one end, and, after immersing the other end in a vessel of the same fluid, allowing the inclosed fluid to descend till it is counterbalanced by the pressure of the atmosphere, as in the barometer. Hutton.
[ Webster]
Torrid (?), a. [L. torridus, fr. torrere to parch, to burn, akin to E. Thist: cf. F. torride. See .] 1. Parched; dried with heat; as, a torrid plain or desert. “Barca or Cyrene's torrid soil.” Milton.
[ Webster]
2. Violenty hot; drying or scorching with heat; burning; parching. “Torrid heat.” Milton.
[ Webster]
Coloq. Torrid zone (Geog.), that space or board belt of the earth, included between the tropics, over which the sun is vertical at some period of every year, and the heat is always great.
[ Webster]
Torridity (?), n. Torridness. [R.]
[ Webster]
Torridness (?), n. The quality or state of being torrid or parched.
[ Webster]
Torril (?), n. A worthless woman; also, a worthless horse. [Prov. Eng.] Halliwell.
[ Webster]
Torrock (?), n. (Zoöl.) A gull. [Prov. Eng.]
[ Webster]
Torsade (?), n. [F.] A twisted cord; also, a molded or worked ornament of similar form.
The crown decked with torsades of pearls.
Harper's Mag.
[Webster Suppl.]
Torsal (?), n. (Carp.) A torsel. Knight.
[ Webster]
Torse (?), n. [OF., fr. OF. & F. tors, torse, twisted, wreathed, p. p. of tordre to twist, L. torquere. See .]
[ Webster]
1. (Her.) A wreath.
[ Webster]
2. [F. tors, torse, twisted.] (Geom.) A developable surface. See under .
[ Webster]
Torsel (?), n. (Carp.) A plate of timber for the end of a beam or joist to rest on. Gwilt
[ Webster]
Torsibillty (?), n. The tendency, as of a rope, to untwist after being twisted.
[ Webster]
Torsion (?), n. [F., fr. LL. torsio, fr. L. torquere, tortum, to twist. See .] 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.
[ Webster]
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.
[ Webster]
Coloq. Angle of torsion (of a curve) (Geom.), the indefinitely small angle between two consecutive osculating planes of a curve of double curvature. -- Coloq. Moment of torsion (Mech.) the moment of a pair of equal and opposite couples which tend to twist a body. -- Coloq. 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. -- Coloq. Torsion scale , a scale for weighing in which the fulcra of the levers or beams are strained wires or strips acting by torsion.
[ Webster]
Torsional (?), a. Of or pertaining to torsion; resulting from torsion, or the force with which a thread or wire returns to a state of rest after having been twisted round its axis; as, torsional force.
[ Webster]
Torsion electrometer. (Elec.) A torsion balance used for measuring electric attraction or repulsion.
[Webster Suppl.]
Torsion galvanometer. (Elec.) A galvanometer in which current is measured by torsion.
[Webster Suppl.]
Torsion head. That part of a torsion balance from which the wire or filament is suspended.
[Webster Suppl.]
Torsion indicator. An autographic torsion meter.
[Webster Suppl.]
Torsion meter. (Mech.) An instrument for determining the torque on a shaft, and hence the horse power of an engine, esp. of a marine engine of high power, by measuring the amount of twist of a given length of the shaft. Called also torsimeter, torsiometer, torsometer.
[Webster Suppl.]
Torsk (?), n. [Dan.; akin to Icel. þorskr a codfish, G. dorsch.] (Zoöl.) (a) The cusk. See . (b) The codfish. Called also tusk.
[ Webster]
Torso (?), n.; pl. E. Torsos (#), It. Torsi (#). [It. torso, probably fr. L. thyrsus a stalk, stem, thyrsus, Gr. �; cf. OHG. torso, turso, a stalk, stem, G. dorsche a cabbage stalk. Cf. , .] The human body, as distinguished from the head and limbs; in sculpture, the trunk of a statue, mutilated of head and limbs; as, the torso of Hercules.
[ Webster]
Tort (?), n. [F., from LL. tortum, fr. L. tortus twisted, crooked, p. p. of torqure to twist, bend. See .] 1. Mischief; injury; calamity. [Obs.]
[ Webster]
That had them long opprest with tort.
Spenser.
[ Webster]
2. (Law) Any civil wrong or injury; a wrongful act (not involving a breach of contract) for which an action will lie; a form of action, in some parts of the United States, for a wrong or injury.
[ Webster]
Coloq. Executor de son tort . See under . -- Coloq. Tort feasor (Law), a wrongdoer; a trespasser. Wharton.
[ Webster]
Tort, a. Stretched tight; taut. [R.]
[ Webster]
Yet holds he them with tortest rein.
Emerson.
[ Webster]
Torta (?), n. [Cf. Sp. torta a cake.] (Metal.) a flat heap of moist, crushed silver ore, prepared for the patio process.
[ Webster]
Torteau (?), n.; pl. Torteaus (#). [Of. torteau, tortel, from L. tortus twisted. See .] (Her.) A roundel of a red color.
[ Webster]
Torticollis (?), n. [F. toricolis; L. torquere, tortum, to twist + collum the neck.] (Med.) See .
[ Webster]
Tortile (?), a. [L. tortilis, fr. torquere, tortum, to twist: cf. F. tortile.] Twisted; wreathed; coiled.
[ Webster]
Tortility (?), n. The quality or state of being tortile, twisted, or wreathed.
[ Webster]
Tortilla (?), n. [Sp.] An unleavened cake, as of maize flour, baked on a heated iron or stone.
[ Webster]
Tortion (?), n. [LL. tortio. See .] Torment; pain. [Obs.] Bacon.
[ Webster]
Tortious (?), a. [From .] 1. Injurious; wrongful. [Obs.] “Tortious power.” Spenser.
[ Webster]
2. (Law) Imploying tort, or privat injury for which the law gives damages; involing tort.
[ Webster]
Tortiously, adv. (Law) In a tortous manner.
[ Webster]
Tortive (?), a. [L. tortus, p. p. of torquere to twist, wind.] Twisted; wreathed. Shak.
[ Webster]
Tortoise (?), n. [OE. tortuce, fr. OF. tortis crooked, fr. L. tortus twisted, 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 .] 1. (Zoöl.) Any one of numerous species of reptiles of the order Testudinata.
[ Webster]
☞ 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 , , and .
[ Webster]
2. (Rom. Antiq.) Same as , 2.
[ Webster]
Coloq. Box tortoise , Coloq. Land tortoise , etc. See under , , etc. -- Coloq. Painted tortoise . (Zoöl.) See Painted turtle, under . -- Coloq. Soft-shell tortoise . (Zoöl.) See . -- Coloq. Spotted tortoise . (Zoöl.) A small American fresh-water tortoise (Chelopus guttatus or Nanemys guttatus) having a blackish carapace on which are scattered round yellow spots. -- Coloq. Tortoise beetle (Zoöl.), any one of numerous species of small tortoise-shaped beetles. Many of them have a brilliant metallic luster. The larvæ 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. -- Coloq. Tortoise plant . (Bot.) See Elephant's foot, under . -- Coloq. Tortoise shell , the substance of the shell or horny plates of several species of sea turtles, especially of the hawkbill turtle. It is used in inlaying and in the manufacture of various ornamental articles. -- Coloq. Tortoise-shell butterfly (Zoöl.), any one of several species of handsomely colored butterflies of the genus Aglais, as Aglais Milberti, and Aglais urticæ, both of which, in the larva state, feed upon nettles. -- Coloq. Tortoise-shell turtle (Zoöl.), the hawkbill turtle. See .
[ Webster]
tortoise-shell, adj. Having a color like that of a tortoise's shell, black with white and orange spots; -- used mostly to describe cats of that color. n. a tortoise-shell cat.
Tortricid (?), a. [See .] (Zoöl.) Of or pertaining to Tortix, or the family Tortricidæ.
[ Webster]
Tortrix (?), n. [NL., fr. L. torquere, tortum, to twist.] 1. (Zoöl.) Any one of numerous species of small moths of the family Tortricidæ, the larvæ of which usually roll up the leaves of plants on which they live; -- also called leaf roller.
[ Webster]
2. (Zoöl.) A genus of tropical short-tailed snakes, which are not venomous. One species (Tortrix scytalæ) is handsomely banded with black, and is sometimes worn alive by the natives of Brazil for a necklace.
[ Webster]
Prev Next
Concept Explore Home
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z