tortuous
UK: ˈtɔːtʃuəs | US: ˈtɔːrtʃuəs
adj. full of twists, turns, or bends; winding
adj. excessively lengthy and complex; indirect or deceitful
tortuous = tort<twist> + uous<adjective suffix>
- tort (from Latin tortus, meaning "twisted" or "crooked")
- uous (Latin-derived suffix forming adjectives, indicating "full of" or "characterized by")
Etymology Origin:
The word tortuous traces back to the Latin tortuosus, derived from tortus (past participle of torquere, "to twist"). It originally described physical winding paths but later expanded metaphorically to describe convoluted reasoning or deceitful behavior. The root tort- also appears in words like torture (twisting as pain) and contort (to twist violently).
The mountain road was so tortuous that driving required intense focus.
His tortuous explanation left everyone more confused than before.
The river carved a tortuous path through the valley.
Legal documents are often unnecessarily tortuous.
She navigated the tortuous corridors of the old castle with ease.