Also tork. [ad. L. torquēs, -is (see TORQUES); so mod.F. torque.] A collar, necklace, bracelet or similar ornament consisting of a twisted narrow band or strip, usually of precious metal, worn especially by the ancient Gauls and Britons.
1834. Planché, Brit. Costume, 10. The Britons … who could not procure them of the precious metals wore torques of iron.
1851. D. Wilson, Preh. Ann. (1863), II. IV. vi. 472. The torc may be regarded as the most characteristic relic of primitive Celtic and Teutonic art.
1877. Ll. Jewitt, Half-hrs. among Eng. Antiq., 226. Having torn a torque of gold from the neck of a vanquished Gaul.
attrib. 1877. W. Jones, Finger-ring, 66. This might be denominated a torque ring.
