contortion

American  

[kuhn-tawr-shuhn] / kənˈtɔr ʃən /

noun

1. the act or process of contorting.

2. the state of being contorted. contorted.

3. a contorted contorted position.

4. something contorted contorted or twisted, as in position or meaning.

   His account of the incident was a complete contortion of fact.

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contortion British  

/ kənˈtɔːʃən /

noun

1. the act or process of contorting or the state of being contorted

2. a twisted shape or position

3. something twisted or out of the ordinary in character, meaning, etc

   mental contortions

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Other Word Forms

• contortional adjective
• contortioned adjective
• uncontortioned adjective

Etymology

Origin of contortion

1605–15; < Latin contortiōn- (stem of contortiō ) a whirling around. See contort, -ion

Example Sentences

So many explanations and justifications, so many verbal contortions as he attempts to talk through his latest defeat.

From BBC

But there is something else going on here which amplifies the jitters within Labour and causes contortions and anguish for others here at Westminster.

From BBC

In a sport where her contortions are magic, she lay curled up in a ball.

From Los Angeles Times

While watching the final round in the Bahamas, Woods described Scheffler's unconventional footwork as "the contortions he gets into" but could not hide his admiration for the quality and control of the champion's ball striking.

From BBC

All of those candidate contortions bring to mind a line from Hamlet: To thine own self be true.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• deformation
• deformity