Contorted: meaning, definitions and examples

Etymology

• The word comes from the Latin 'contortus', which means 'to twist together', highlighting the physical aspect of the word.
• It is formed from the prefix 'con-' meaning 'together' and the root 'tor' from 'torquere', which means 'to twist'.
• The use of 'contorted' in English can be traced back to the late 15th century.

Psychology

• Contorted facial expressions can reveal strong emotions, often signaling discomfort or distress in social situations.
• In psychological contexts, contorted thoughts can refer to an overly complicated or twisted reasoning pattern, impacting decision-making.
• Some therapeutic practices focus on helping individuals 'untwist' their contorted feelings to better understand them.

Art

• Artists often use contorted figures to express tension, chaos, or emotional struggle in their works, particularly in the realms of painting and sculpture.
• The Baroque period featured contorted poses in sculpture, emphasizing movement and drama, as seen in works by Gian Lorenzo Bernini.
• Contorted shapes in modern art can signify a break from traditional forms, representing the chaos of modern life.

Pop Culture

• In movies and literature, contorted characters often symbolize internal conflict or transformation, portraying the struggle between one's desires and reality.
• Horror genres frequently depict contorted bodies to evoke fear and represent the unnatural or supernatural.
• The popular anime series 'Attack on Titan' features contorted titans as a central theme, highlighting grotesque transformation and the loss of humanity.

Science

• In biology, contorted structures may describe unusual growth patterns in plants or animals, often in response to environmental stress.
• Contortion in physics can refer to the twisting of materials under strain, a vital factor in engineering and material science.
• The study of contorted proteins is crucial in understanding diseases like Alzheimer's, where normal protein folding becomes destabilized.

Positioned at #20,599, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.

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• 20596 disapproving
• 20597 scoffed
• 20598 kilometre
• 20599 contorted
• 20600 shortcoming
• 20601 misinterpretation
• 20602 silencing
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