I. To turn towards; to turn: obtorque prorim, Att. ap. Non. 200, 33 (Trag. Rel. v. 575 Rib.): “dextrasque obtorquet in undas Proram,” Stat. Th. 5, 414.—
II. To turn round, twist, writhe, wrench (esp. the neck; rare, and class. only in the part. perf.)): “collum,” Aur. Vict. Vir. Ill. 66: “obtorto collo ad praetorem trahor,” i. e. dragged violently by the throat, Plaut. Poen. 3, 5, 45; id. Rud. 3, 6, 16: “ut illum collo obtorto ad subsellia reduceret,” Cic. Clu. 21, 59 (for which: “torquere collum,” Liv. 4, 53, 8): “obtorta gulā in vincula abripi jussit,” by the throat, Cic. Verr. 2, 4, 10, § 24: obtorto valgiter labello, twisted, contorted, Petr. Fragm. ap. Fulg. p. 566, 2: “obtorti circulus auri,” twisted, wreathed, Verg. A. 5, 559: “cardines,” App. M. 3, p. 151, 22.
