OriginFrom Middle French torse (“wreath”), from Latin torqueō (“to twist”). Doublet of trousse and truss.
- A twist of cloth or wreath, typically placed underneath and forming part of a crest (as an orle or wreath) and customarily shown with six twists, the first tincture being the tincture of the field, the second the tincture of the metal, and so on; rarely, it occurs as a charge.
- obsoleteThe torso.
“To Painters, for the picturing of ſome exquiſit arme, leg, torſe or wreathing of the body, or any other rare poſture, whether ſmooth or forced.”
“One might ſtudy in this city for ages, and ſtill find ſomething new: we went from this to view the cardinal’s ſtatues, which are really very fine; there were three ſpintria executed in a very maſterly”
“This done, ’twas only needed to supply / The necessary quantity of heads / To suit the growing torse; […]”
Formstorses(plural)