Webster's English Dictionary

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torsion

tor.sion \'to.r-sh*n\ \'to.r-shn*l, -sh*n-*l\ \-e-\ n [LL torsus, pp. of L 
   torque-re to twist] 1: the twisting or wrenching of a body by the exertion 
   of forces tending to  turn one end or part about a longitudinal axis while 
   the other is held fast or turned in the opposite direction; also : the 
   state of being twisted 2: the reactive torque that an elastic solid exerts 
   by reason of being unde r torsion - tor.sion.al aj