contortion etymology

Etymology:

  • Late Middle English: via Old French from Latin contorsio(n-), from contorsus, past participle of contorquēre ‘twist, writhe’

Meaning:

  • The act of twisting or bending the body into unusual and often difficult positions.

Origin:

The word "contortion" comes from the Latin word "contorsio," which means "a twisting or bending." The word "contortion" was first used in English in the late Middle Ages to describe the act of performing acrobatic feats that involved twisting and bending the body.

Contortionists have been performing for centuries, and the practice can be traced back to ancient Egypt, India, and China. In these cultures, contortionists were often seen as sacred figures who could perform supernatural feats.

Today, contortionists continue to perform for a variety of reasons. Some contortionists perform for the challenge and the artistic expression, while others perform for entertainment or to raise awareness of the art form.

contortion relate terms

  • contort

    Etymology From Middle English contorten to twist or bend out of shape from Late La

  • torque

    Etymology Derived from the Latin word torquere meaning to twist or to turn Me

  • contortionist

    Etymology Latin contortio contortionis a twisting a writhing Late Latin contors

  • contortion

    Etymology Late Middle English via Old French from Latin contorsio n from contorsus

  • torsion

    Etymology The word torsion is derived from the Latin word torsio meaning a twisting

  • deformation

    Etymology Old French deformacion Latin deformatio from deformare to disfigure de

  • distortion

    Etymology The word distortion derives from the Latin word distortus meaning twisted

  • elegant

    Etymology The word elegant originates from the Latin word eligere meaning to choos

  • asparagus

    Etymology The word asparagus comes from the Greek word asparagos meaning sprout

  • dimension

    Etymology Latin dimensio dimensionis a measuring Proto Indo European dem to

  • brute

    Etymology The word brute is derived from the Old French word brute which in turn com

  • shoe

    Etymology The word shoe comes from the Old English word scōh meaning footwear T

  • pregnant

    Etymology The word pregnant originates from the Latin word praegnans which means b