‖ torques, n. and a.
(ˈtɔːkwiːz)
Also 6 torquess, 7, 9 torquis.
[L. torquēs, torquis a twisted neck-chain or collar, f. torquēre to twist.]
A. n.
1. = torque n.1
| 1693 Pepys in Lett. Lit. Men (Camden) 211 Your account of the Torquis spoken of in your..Letter. 1695 Gibson Add. to Camden 658 In..1692 an ancient golden Torques was dug up..near this castle of Harlech. 1778 Eng. Gazetteer (ed. 2) s.v. Pattingham, Where, in 1700, was found a large torques of fine gold, 2 feet long, 3 pounds 2 ounces weight... These torqueses were worn by the ancient Britons. 1865 Pall Mall G. 24 Oct. 5 There is no torques, no finger ring..nothing but ‘the seal of Tirhaka, King of æthiopians’. |
2. Zool. A collar or ring-like marking round the neck of an animal, formed by hair, feathers, etc. of special colour or texture.
| 1891 in Cent. Dict. |
† B. adj. Twisted, bent. Obs. rare—1.
| a 1568 Wedderburn in Bannatyne Poems 695/27 With ane bow torquess diuerss Greikis did scho kill. |