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to·rus

(tôrəs)

n. pl. to·ri (tôrī)

1. Architecture A large convex molding, semicircular in cross section, located at the base of a classical column.

2. Anatomy A bulging or rounded projection or swelling.

3. Botany

a. The receptacle of a flower.

b. A thickened area in the middle of the membrane that connects the pits of tracheids in conifers and certain other gymnosperms.

4. Mathematics A toroid generated by a circle; a surface having the shape of a doughnut. Also called tore².

[Latin, bulge, knot, torus.]

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torus

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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