Pronunciation: [ tawr-choo-uhs ]
Origin: Late Middle English; Latin
Etymology: via Old French from Latin tortuosus, from tortus ‘twisting, a twist’, from Latin torquere ‘to twist’
Definition:
1. (adjective) full of twists, turns, or bends; twisting, winding, or crooked
Synonym(s): twisting, winding, curving, bending, coiling
Antonym(s): straight, direct
Example: The group took a tortuous path to the lookout.
2. (adjective) deceitfully indirect or morally crooked, as proceedings, methods, or policy; devious
Synonym(s): deceitful, crooked, misleading
Antonym(s): straightforward, uncomplicated, untwisted
Example: His behavior was incredibly tortuous.
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