tort
pronunciation
How to pronounce tort in British English:
UK [tɔ:t]
How to pronounce tort in American English:
US [tɔrt]
-
- Noun:
- (law) any wrongdoing for which an action for damages may be brought
Word Origin
- tort
- tort: see torment
- tort (n.)
- mid-13c., "injury, wrong," from Old French tort "wrong, injustice, crime" (11c.), from Medieval Latin tortum "injustice," noun use of neuter of tortus "wrung, twisted," past participle of Latin torquere "turn, turn awry, twist, wring, distort" (see torque (n.)). Legal sense of "breach of a duty, whereby someone acquires a right of action for damages" is first recorded 1580s.
Example
- 1. Tort costs are especially heavy in health care .
- 2. But none wants us-style tort suits with their attendant huge damages .
- 3. And the president also promised conservatives reform of america 's mad tort system .
- 4. Conservatives react by hastily endorsing national tort reform with restrictions on awards .
- 5. Regulation and tort law are not ideal ways to make public policy .