Main Entry: tor·tu·ous

Pronunciation: \ˈtȯrch-wəs, ˈtȯr-chə-\

Function: adjective

Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French tortueux, from Latin tortuosus, from tortus twist, from torquēre to twist

Date: 15th century

1 : marked by repeated twists, bends, or turns : winding <a tortuous path>
2 a : marked by devious or indirect tactics : crooked, tricky <a tortuous conspiracy> b : circuitous, involved <the tortuous jargon of legal forms>

— tor·tu·ous·ly adverb

— tor·tu·ous·ness noun