torso

views updated Jun 08 2018

tor·so / ˈtôrsō/ • n. (pl. -sos or -si / -sē/ ) the trunk of the human body. ∎  the trunk of a statue without, or considered independently of, the head and limbs. ∎  fig. an unfinished or mutilated thing, esp. a work of art or literature: the Requiem torso was preceded by the cantata.

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English

torso

views updated May 29 2018

torso the trunk of a statue, without or considered independently of the head and limbs; the trunk of the human body. The word is recorded from the late 18th century and comes from Italian, literally ‘stalk, stump’, from the Latin base of thyrsus.

The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable ELIZABETH KNOWLES

torso

views updated May 18 2018

torso XVIII. — It. torso stalk, stump, trunk of a statue :- L. thyrsus stalk; see THYRSUS.

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology T. F. HOAD

torso

views updated May 23 2018

torso. Twisted column-shaft.

A Dictionary of Architecture and Landscape Architecture JAMES STEVENS CURL

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