a. rare. [ad. L. tortīv-us, f. tort-, ppl. stem of torquēre to twist: see -IVE.) Twisting, twisted, tortuous.

1

1606.  Shaks., Tr. & Cr., I. iii. 9. Tortiue and errant from his course of growth.

2

1656.  Blount, Glossogr., Tortive (tortivus), that is wrung or pressed out. Br.

3

1880.  Swinburne, On Cliffs, 12. Between the tortive serpent-shapen roots.

4

  So † Tortivous a. Obs., in same sense.

5

14[?].  Lydg., Temple of Glas (E.E.T.S.), p. 14. Ielusye, The vile serpent, the snake tortyvous.

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