tort
TORT
/tɔːt/
A wrongful act or an infringement of a right (other than under contract) leading to civil legal liability.
Covers civil wrongs (like negligence, defamation, trespass) resolved in civil courts, distinct from criminal prosecution.
The story behind the word. From Old French tort ('wrong or injury'), derived from Late Latin tortum ('a twisted act'), from Latin torquere ('to twist'). Etymologically, a tort is a 'twisted' act, as opposed to a straight or right act.
Word relationships
- civil wrong: Civil wrong is the general explanatory phrase for what a tort legally represents.
- contract: A contract involves obligations created by mutual consent, whereas tort obligations are imposed by general law.
Commonly confused with
- torte: A tort is a civil legal wrong; a torte is a rich, dense European cake.
Word family
- tortious (adjective): Constituting or relating to a tort
- tortfeasor (noun): A person who commits a tort
Collocations
- intentional tort
- tort law
- tort reform
- tortfeasor
- commit a tort
Example sentences
- "Under the law of tort, an injured individual can seek financial damages from the person who caused the harm." Legal textbook definition
- "Lawmakers debated tort reform proposals designed to curb frivolous civil lawsuits against medical facilities." Legislative reform debate
Memory hook
TORT is a TWISTED act that breaks civil law. A twisted civil wrong.
When not to use
Do not confuse with a 'crime' (prosecuted by the state) or a 'breach of contract' (violating a private agreement).
Fun facts
- The word shares its root with 'torture' and 'retort' — all coming from Latin torquere (to twist).
Related words
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