Also 7–8 -torsion. [ad. L. contortiōn-em, n. of action f. contorquēre: see CONTORT v. Cf. F. contorsion (Paré, 16th c.).]
1. The action of twisting or writhing; the fact of being twisted; distortion by twisting.
1611. Cotgr., Contorsion, A contorsion; a wrything, etc.
1615. Crooke, Body of Man, 68. It giueth a forme … answereable to it owne contortions.
1658. Sir T. Browne, Gard. Cyrus, iii. 50. Wherein the Leaf and Roots may shoot right without contortion or forced circumvolution.
1773. Mrs. Chapone, Improv. Mind (1774), I. 109. We strive … to alter ourselves by ridiculous contorsions of body.
1841–4. Emerson, Ess., Prudence, Wks. (Bohn), I. 96. The contortions of ten crucified martyrs.
1878. Huxley, Physiogr., 215. Contortion and dislocation of strata … due to squeezing at the sides.
fig. 1874. Mahaffy, Soc. Life Greece, v. 157. The most violent contortions of grammar.
2. The product of contorting; a contorted condition, state, or form.
1664. Power, Exp. Philos., I. 8. The Probe which you see lyes in her mouth in spiral contorsions, wound up like a spring.
1818. Mrs. Shelley, Frankenst., xvi. (1865), 199. His face was wrinkled into contortions too horrible for human eyes to behold.
1873. Black, Pr. Thule, vii. 105. The curious contortions of the rocks.
fig. 1869. J. Martineau, Ess., II. 45. The deductions … are only so many contortions of the original definitions.
