tortileadj.
/ˈtɔːtɪl//ˈtɔːtʌɪl/ rare.
Twisted, coiled; winding; capable of being twisted.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > shape > curvature > coil > [adjective] > twisted spirally
woundenOE
thwarlc1400
wreathenc1400
writhenc1475
thrown1534
crinkled1558
contort1570
torqued1577
writhed1578
rivelled1594
wrested1609
twound1610
twirled1611
contorted1622
tortile1658
torcular1661
roped1681
wended?1690
twisted1725
entwisteda1800
torquated1851
barley sugar1868
spirated1871
wrangled1876
rangled1924
the world > textiles and clothing > textiles > textile fabric or an article of textile fabric > textile fabric > textile fabric with specific qualities > [adjective] > other
pallenOE
richa1200
sere1523
fleecy1790
tortile1835
unwashable1839
suede1864
uncrushable1873
suede leather1882
flouncy1900
sewable1972
1658 Sir T. Browne Garden of Cyrus iii, in Hydriotaphia: Urne-buriall 160 He..may observe it in the Tortile and tiring stroaks of Gnatworms.
1760 J. Lee Introd. Bot. iii. xxii. 222 The Arista is tortile, twisted, when it has a twisted Joint in the Middle.
1819 H. Busk Vestriad iv. 116 Each in her arms two fiery dragons holds, With slender limbs restrains the tortile folds.
1835 A. Ure Philos. Manuf. 62 Tortile fabrics used for making webs of various kinds.
Derivatives
torˈtility n. the quality of being tortile.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > shape > curvature > coil > [noun] > condition of being twisted spirally
twist1711
winding1711
torsion1807
tortility1835
1835 A. Ure Philos. Manuf. 62 Under tortility must likewise be considered..fulling, felting, and the manufacture of hats.
1846 J. E. Worcester Universal Dict. Eng. Lang. (citing Monthly Rev.).
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1913; most recently modified version published online September 2021).
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adj.1658