tors-, tort-, -tort, tortu-, torqu-

Possible of being abused or mistreated: The little kitten could be hurt, or it was torturable, so Jenny's mother told her not to pull its tail or step on her paw!

1. A special star-shaped screw recess or screw head top with six rounded corners to insert the tool: "The configuration of a TORX on tools allows a very tight fit on the fastener and the application of high torque."

"The rounded corners of the torx also reduce wear of both the fastener and the tool."

2. The trademark for a type of screw head characterized by a six-point star-shaped pattern : "A TORX, or hexalobular screw head"; Torx ® and Torx Plus ® Drive Bits and Keys, were developed by Camcar LLC of Acument Global Technologies. Some people who don't know the trademark name, may use the term star, as in star screwdriver or star bits."

"Camcar ® is a globally recognized brand in standard and special socket, or torx, screws and has been providing fastening solutions since 1943."

"The TORX resist cam-out (a process by which a screwdriver slips out of the head of a screw once the torque required to turn the screw exceeds a certain force) better than Phillips head or slot head (flathead) screws."

"Although Phillips heads were designed to cause the driver to cam out, to prevent over-tightening, the TORXES were designed to prevent cam-out because of the development of better torque-limiting automatic screwdrivers for use in factories."

"TORXES are commonly found on automobiles, refrigerator handles, bicycle brake systems, hard disk drives, computer systems, consumer electronics, etc.; TORXES are also being used more often in construction industries."

Here are just a few of the many kinds of screw heads which are available for people to use for a variety of applications

A TORX or hexalobular screw head.

A "normal" slot screw head.

A Phillips screw head.

A poly screw head.

A hex screw head.