Emily Dickinson Lexicon

TORT, n. [Fr. from L. tortus, twisted, from torqueo. The primary sense is to turn or strain, hence to twist.]

1. In law, any wrong or injury. Torts are injuries done to the person or property of another, as trespass, assault and battery, defamation and the like. Blackstone.
2. Mischief; calamity. Spenser. [Except in the legal sense above explained, it is obsolete.]