torus
torus — noun
- torussingular
- torusesplural
1. In mathematics, a surface shaped like a ring or a doughnut — formed by spinning
In mathematics, a surface shaped like a ring or a doughnut — formed by spinning a circle around a line that lies outside the circle, so that the result is a tube with a hole through its centre.
Tomás drew a torus in class by rotating a circle around a larger one.
geometry context — torus as a 3D shape
A bagel is a familiar torus — a ring with a hole through the middle.
real-world comparison: food shaped like a torus
A lifebuoy ring has a torus shape with a hollow centre and a round tube.
Yan built a wire model of a torus for her university physics project.
A torus surface cannot be pressed flat onto a table without cutting it.
文法句型
a torus
the torus
plural: tori or toruses
用法筆記
The plural can be either 'tori' (formal, academic) or 'toruses' (less common). In topology, 'torus' also refers to the entire solid shape (the 'solid torus').
2. In architecture, a thick, rounded ridge that wraps around the bottom part of a s
In architecture, a thick, rounded ridge that wraps around the bottom part of a stone column, sitting just above the flat square base piece (called the plinth).
The ancient Greek column had a wide torus at its base, just above the plinth.
architecture context — torus at column base above plinth
Hoa pointed out the torus molding on a stone pillar at the old courthouse entrance.
João ran a finger along the smooth torus of a Roman column base.
Students measured the height of the torus on each Ionic column in the hall.
The carver shaped the torus around the base of the marble pillar with a chisel.
- convex molding
Describes the shape category — all torus moldings are convex, but not all convex moldings are tori.
文法句型
a torus
the torus
torus molding
用法筆記
A torus is a convex (outward-curving) molding. It is typically the lowest molding in a classical column base. Do not confuse it with a 'scotia', which is a concave (inward-curving) molding also found in column bases.
3. In anatomy, a smooth, rounded bulge on a person's bone — for example, a hard rid
In anatomy, a smooth, rounded bulge on a person's bone — for example, a hard ridge that some people have on the roof of their mouth or on the inner side of their lower jaw.
The dentist noticed a small torus on the roof of the patient's mouth.
dental/medical context — torus on palate
Amelia's X-ray showed a smooth torus on her lower jaw near the premolar teeth.
At a check-up, Dr. Park found a torus on Kemi's palate and said it was harmless.
Gabriel's dental examination revealed a bony torus behind his upper front teeth.
The oral surgeon explained that a mandibular torus is a normal variation of bone structure.
- protuberance
More general medical term for any bump on a bone; 'torus' specifically describes a smooth, rounded type.
- bony ridge
Describes the elongated shape when the torus runs along a bone instead of being a single bump.
文法句型
a torus
torus on [body part]
plural: tori
用法筆記
The most common anatomical tori are the torus palatinus (on the roof of the mouth) and the torus mandibularis (on the inner side of the lower jaw). These growths are benign and usually symptomless.