tort /'tȯrt/ n [Anglo-French, wrongful or illegal act, from Old French, injury, from Medieval Latin tortum, from Latin, neuter of tortus twisted, from past participle of torquēre to twist]: a wrongful act other than a breach of contract that injures another and for which the law imposes civil liability: a violation of a duty (as to exercise due care) imposed by law as distinguished from contract for which damages or declaratory relief (as an injunction) may be obtained; also: a cause of action based on such an act
the court declined to recognize the tort — National Law Journal
Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary of Law. Merriam-Webster. 1996.