- a distinctive band of hair, feathers, skin, or colour around the neck of an animal; a collar
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026
tor•ques
(tôr′kwēz),USA pronunciation n. [Zool.]
- a ringlike band or formation about the neck, as of feathers, hair, or integument of distinctive color or appearance;
a collar.
- Latin torquēs twisted necklace or collar, equivalent. to torqu(ēre) to twist (akin to Greek trépein to turn) + -ēs feminine deverbative noun, nominal suffix
- 1560–70
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
torques /ˈtɔːkwiːz/ n
torque1 /tɔrk/USA pronunciation
n. [uncountable]
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- Mechanical Engineeringthe measured ability of a twisting part of machinery, as of a shaft, to overcome resistance to such turning.
torque (tôrk),USA pronunciation
n., v., torqued, torqu•ing.
n.
v.t.
v.i.
n.
- [Mech.]something that produces or tends to produce torsion or rotation;
the moment of a force or system of forces tending to cause rotation. - [Mach.]the measured ability of a rotating element, as of a gear or shaft, to overcome turning resistance.
- [Optics.]the rotational effect on plane-polarized light passing through certain liquids or crystals.
- Also, torc. a collar, necklace, or similar ornament consisting of a twisted narrow band, usually of precious metal, worn esp. by the ancient Gauls and Britons.
v.t.
- Mechanical Engineering[Mach.]to apply torque to (a nut, bolt, etc.).
- to cause to rotate or twist.
v.i.
- to rotate or twist.
- Irish
Latin) - Latin torques torques (torc perh.
- French torque
- Latin torquēre to twist; (def. 4)
- 1825–35
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
torque /tɔːk/ n
- Also: torc a necklace or armband made of twisted metal, worn esp by the ancient Britons and Gauls
- any force or system of forces that causes or tends to cause rotation
'torques' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):