torus

• POS: Noun
• HYPHEN: to=rus

CIDE DICTIONARY

torus, n. [L., a round, swelling, or bulging place, an elevation. Cf. 3d Tore.].

•  A large molding used in the bases of columns. Its profile is semicircular. See Illust. of Molding.  Brande & C.  [1913 Webster]
•  One of the ventral parapodia of tubicolous annelids. It usually has the form of an oblong thickening or elevation of the integument with rows of uncini or hooks along the center. See Illust. under Tubicolæ.  [1913 Webster]
•  The receptacle, or part of the flower on which the carpels stand.  [1913 Webster]
•  The surface described by the circumference of a circle revolving about a straight line in its own plane.  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

torus, n. (pl. tori)
1 Archit. a large convex bun-shaped moulding esp. as the lowest part of the base of a column.
2 Bot. the receptacle of a flower.
3 Anat. a smooth ridge of bone or muscle.
4 Geom. a surface or solid formed by rotating a closed curve, esp. a circle, about a line in its plane but not intersecting it.

Etymology

L, = swelling, bulge, cushion, etc.