torques

[ tawr-kweez ]

noun

, Zoology.

1. a ringlike band or formation about the neck, as of feathers, hair, or integument of distinctive color or appearance; a collar.

torques

/ -kweɪt; ˈtɔːkwɪt; ˈtɔːkwiːz /

noun

1. a distinctive band of hair, feathers, skin, or colour around the neck of an animal; a collar

Derived Forms

• torquate, adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of torques¹

1560–70; < Latin torquēs twisted necklace or collar, equivalent to torqu ( ēre ) to twist (akin to Greek trépein to turn) + -ēs feminine deverbative noun suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of torques¹

C17: from Latin: necklace, from torquēre to twist

Example Sentences

Ultimately, though, the author torques her contrarianism past trolling, past knee-jerk philosophizing and past satire, alchemizing a critique of literary culture in all its ideological waywardness.

From Los Angeles Times

Some of the white terracotta tiles that cover the building’s facade were haphazardly installed, wrecking the precise geometries of a design that ripples and torques.

From Los Angeles Times

Now, we could orient the sunshield to cancel out the torques—but we want to point the telescope at targets, not get the sunshield perfectly balanced by sunlight.

From Scientific American

Having made his name promoting transparency in state accounts and other old-style mainstream Republican priorities, he now torques ordinary conservative dispositions into categorical imperatives.

From New York Times

Her body is strong, and she torques it forcefully against the god, trying to free herself.

From New York Times