contortionist

American  

[kuhn-tawr-shuh-nist] / kənˈtɔr ʃə nɪst /

noun

1. a person who performs gymnastic feats involving contorted postures.

2. a person who practices contortion.

   a verbal contortionist.

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contortionist British  

/ kənˈtɔːʃənɪst /

noun

1. a performer who contorts his body for the entertainment of others

2. a person who twists or warps meaning or thoughts

   a verbal contortionist

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• contortionistic
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of contortionist

First recorded in 1855–60; contortion + -ist

Explanation

A contortionist is an extremely flexible performer who can bend her body into interesting and odd positions. If you go to the circus, you may get to see contortionists. Contortionists are acrobats who specialize in bending and twisting in dramatic ways. It's an art that requires years of training, for strength and flexibility, and includes moves such as backbends, front bends, and splits. In some countries, including Mongolia, being a contortionist is a highly admired form of artistic expression. The word contortionist comes from the verb contort, which has a Latin root, contorquere, "to whirl or twist together," from torquere, "to twist."