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torsade

American  
[tawr-sahd, -seyd] / tɔrˈsɑd, -ˈseɪd /

noun

  1. a twisted cord.

  2. any ornamental twist, as of velvet.

torsade British  
/ tɔːˈseɪd /

noun

  1. an ornamental twist or twisted cord, as on hats

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of torsade

1880–85; < French: twisted fringe, equivalent to tors twisted ( see torse) + -ade -ade 1

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"But for your Majesty to put yourself in the king's power?" ventured a courtier, who wore a begemmed torsade and a cloak of Genoa velvet.

From Under the Rose by Isham, Frederic Stewart

The back hair is done up in a torsade with black velvet ribbons, the two ends of which float behind.

From Harper's New Monthly Magazine, Vol. 3, No. 15, August, 1851 by Various

Hair ornamented with broad velvet ribbons rolled in the torsade and with ends floating at each side.

From Harper's New Monthly Magazine, Vol IV. No. XX. January, 1852. by Various

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.