Definition of: torsion

(tôr′shən) noun
1. The act of twisting, or the state of being twisted.
2. Mech. Deformation of a body, as a thread or rod, by twisting, one end being held fast while the other is subjected to a torque around its length as an axis.
3. The force with which a twisted cord or cable tends to return to its former position: distinguished from tension. [<OF <LL torsio, -onis, var. of L tortio, -onis <tortus, pp. of torquere twist]
—tor′sion·al adjective
—tor′sion·al·ly adverb