tort

[tawrt]

noun

Law.

1. a wrongful act, not including a breach of contract or trust, that results in injury to another's person, property, reputation, or the like, and for which the injured party is entitled to compensation.

tort

/ tɔːt /

noun

1. law a civil wrong arising from an act or failure to act, independently of any contract, for which an action for personal injury or property damages may be brought

Word History and Origins

Origin of tort¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English: “injury, wrong,” from Old French, from Medieval Latin tortum “wrong, injustice,” noun use of neuter of Latin tortus “twisted, crooked, dubious,” past participle of torquēre “to twist, wring”

Word History and Origins

Origin of tort¹

C14: from Old French, from Medieval Latin tortum, literally: something twisted, from Latin torquēre to twist

Example Sentences

Republicans in 2023 passed a raft of tort reforms cracking down on lawsuit abuse.

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Plaintiffs have likewise objected, saying he is trying to wipe out those liabilities and buy it back on the cheap, free and clear of tort liabilities.

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Critics of tort litigation have long decried the “tort tax,” the higher prices that firms pass on to their consumers when held liable for harm.

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Over the past few years, blue states and municipalities have filed dozens of tort suits in state courts against American energy companies claiming hundreds of billions of dollars in damages.

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Friedman, who has been outspoken about misconduct by mass tort attorneys in bankruptcy cases, said he now represents dozens of former Slater plaintiffs.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• abuse 
• bias 
• blunder 
• crime 
• error 
• evil 
• grievance 
• harm 
• inequity 
• injustice 
• insult 
• misdeed 
• mistake 
• prejudice 
• slight 
• transgression 
• violation 
• wrongdoing