Question:

“Tort” as a legal term, derived from the Latin word tortum, belongs to which of the following linguistic origins?

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Most "T" words in Law (Tort, Trespass, Tenant) have French origins. The word "Tort" is simply the French way of saying "you did something wrong."
Updated On: Jun 30, 2026
  • French word
  • English word
  • Latin word
  • Greek word
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The Correct Option is A

Solution and Explanation

Concept: The Law of Torts deals with civil wrongs where the remedy is a claim for unliquidated damages.

Definition: A tort is a civil wrong which is not exclusively a breach of contract or breach of trust.

Etymology: Legal language in the Common Law system is heavily influenced by Norman-French and Latin.

Step 1: Tracing the Etymological Root.
The Latin root is the word

"Tortum", which means "to twist." This implies conduct that is "twisted" or "crooked" rather than "straight" (Right).

Step 2: Identifying the direct linguistic origin.
The specific word "Tort" itself is a

French word. In French, "Tort" literally means a "wrong." It is the French equivalent of the English word "wrong." Following the Norman Conquest, many French terms entered the English legal vocabulary. Thus, while the *root* is Latin, the *word used* belongs to the French language.
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