tortious

[ tawr-shuhs ]

adjective

, Law.

1. of the nature of or pertaining to a tort.

tortious

/ ˈtɔːʃəs /

adjective

1. law having the nature of or involving a tort; wrongful

Derived Forms

• ˈtortiously, adverb

Other Words From

• tortious·ly adverb
• un·tortious adjective
• un·tortious·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of tortious¹

1350–1400; Middle English torcious < Anglo-French, equivalent to torci ( on ) torsion + -ous -ous; meaning influenced by tort

Word History and Origins

Origin of tortious¹

C14: from Anglo-French torcious, from torcion, literally: a twisting, from Late Latin tortiō torment, from Latin torquēre to twist; influenced in meaning by tort

Example Sentences

He is also suing both his ex-wife and her company for “tortious interference with his business relationships with suppliers.”

From The Daily Beast

The Cook's proceeding was undoubtedly tortious; it was not a criminal action, though it certainly cannot be called a civil one.

From Project Gutenberg