To·rus n.; pl. Tori
1. Arch. A large molding used in the bases of columns. Its profile is semicircular. See Illust. of Molding.
2. Zool. One of the ventral parapodia of tubicolous annelids. It usually has the form of an oblong thickening or elevation of the integument with rows of uncini or hooks along the center. See Illust. under Tubicolae.
3. Bot. The receptacle, or part of the flower on which the carpels stand.
4. Geom. (a) The surface described by the circumference of a circle revolving about a straight line in its own plane. (b) The solid inclosed by such a surface; -- sometimes called an anchor ring.
Syn: --3d Tore2.
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torus
n 1: a ring-shaped surface generated by rotating a circle around
an axis that does not intersect the circle [syn: toroid]
2: commonly the lowest molding at the base of a column [syn: tore]
[also: tori (pl)]