torque

[tawrk]

noun

1. Mechanics.,  something that produces or tends to produce torsion or rotation; the moment of a force or system of forces tending to cause rotation.

2. Machinery.,  the measured ability of a rotating element, as of a gear or shaft, to overcome turning resistance.

3. Optics.,  the rotational effect on plane-polarized light passing through certain liquids or crystals.

4. Also torc a collar, necklace, or similar ornament consisting of a twisted narrow band, usually of precious metal, worn especially by the ancient Gauls and Britons.

verb (used with object)

torqued, torquing 

1. Machinery.,  to apply torque to (a nut, bolt, etc.).

2. to cause to rotate or twist.

verb (used without object)

torqued, torquing 

1. to rotate or twist.

torque

/ tɔːk /

noun

1. Also: torc. a necklace or armband made of twisted metal, worn esp by the ancient Britons and Gauls

2. any force or system of forces that causes or tends to cause rotation

3. the ability of a shaft to cause rotation

torque

1. The tendency of a force applied to an object to make it rotate about an axis. For a force applied at a single point, the magnitude of the torque is equal to the magnitude of the force multiplied by the distance from its point of application to an axis of rotation. Torque is also a vector quantity, equal to the vector product of the vector pointing from the axis to the point of application of force and the vector of force; torque thus points upward from a counterclockwise rotation.

2. See also angular momentum lever

Word History and Origins

Origin of torque¹

First recorded in 1825–35; from Latin torquēre “to twist”; torque def. 4 is from French torque, from Latin torques “collar” (the spelling torc is perhaps from Irish, ultimately from Latin ); torques

Word History and Origins

Origin of torque¹

C19: from Latin torquēs necklace, and torquēre to twist

Example Sentences

Of the driving experience you get from an eHGV, Liam tells me he enjoys appreciates the "instant torque" helping him to pull away at junctions.

From BBC

“Tugs run short, repetitive missions requiring high torque, and start and end at the same home base,” Arc said in a statement announcing its retrofitting project.

From Los Angeles Times

The Sultan drives the first stake of the fence into the ground, jumping on the shovel to get the much needed torque.

From Los Angeles Times

As the recall notice states, "These mug's lid threads can shrink when exposed to heat and torque, causing the lid to detach during use, posing a burn hazard."

From Salon

Metal framing along its walls and ceiling further torque.

From Los Angeles Times