torso

[ tawr-soh ]

noun

, plural tor·sos, tor·si [tawr, -see].

1. the trunk of the human body.
2. a sculptured form representing the trunk of a nude female or male figure.
3. something mutilated or incomplete.

torso

/ ˈtɔːsəʊ /

noun

1. the trunk of the human body
2. a statue of a nude human trunk, esp without the head or limbs
3. something regarded as incomplete or truncated

Word History and Origins

Origin of torso¹

1715–25; < Italian: stalk, trunk of statue < Latin thyrsus < Greek thýrsos wand, stem

Word History and Origins

Origin of torso¹

C18: from Italian: stalk, stump, from Latin: thyrsus

Example Sentences

“The suspect kicked the victim approximately seven times in the upper torso and in the head. Witnesses described him as also stomping on the victim’s head during that incident.”

From Los Angeles Times

A statement from the sheriff's department said officers had responded to reports of an assault with a deadly weapon and found a "white male adult suffering trauma to his upper torso".

From BBC

“If you look at the ground, whoa...,” he said, stopping short as a white object slammed into his torso.

From Los Angeles Times

He edged back into the contest with a right hook in the fifth as Ball - hampered by his nose, with his torso and shorts reddened - showed signs of slowing down.

From BBC

A report from a doctor in neurosurgery said they “could envision a scenario where the child was grabbed by its torso and slammed down…with a serious degree of force”.

From BBC

Related Words

• bronze
• bust
• effigy
• figure
• icon
• image
• likeness
• marble
• piece
• sculpture
• statuary
• statuette