tortuosity

[ tawr-choo-os-i-tee ]

noun

, plural tor·tu·os·i·ties.

1. the state of being tortuous; twisted form or course; crookedness.
2. a twist, bend, or crook.
3. a twisting or crooked part, passage, or thing.

tortuosity

/ ˌtɔːtjʊˈɒsɪtɪ /

noun

1. the state or quality of being tortuous
2. a twist, turn, or coil

Word History and Origins

Origin of tortuosity¹

From the Late Latin word tortuōsitās, dating back to 1595–1605. See tortuous, -ity

Example Sentences

This naturally suggests the ideas of curvature and tortuosity, which are fully dealt with mathematically, before the notion of velocity is introduced.

From Project Gutenberg

It is not straight as in health, but is tortuous, because the overgrowth in the walls, which makes it thick, has also made it longer than normal, thus producing tortuosity.

From Project Gutenberg

But she gave up that point as being only one more of the inexplicable tortuosities of a man's sense of honour.

From Project Gutenberg

In involutionary sclerosis there is a gradual thickening and tortuosity of the vessel, which although it may be greater than in the hyperpietic cases, yet is never so dangerous to life.

From Project Gutenberg

Lateral passages branched out on either side in such labyrinthine tortuosity of confusion that Nidia’s first thought was how it would be possible for any one to find his way through here a second time.

From Project Gutenberg