contortio
From LSJ
ὃν οὐ τύπτει λόγος οὐδὲ ῥάβδος → if words don't get through, neither a beating will | if the carrot doesn't work, the stick will not work either | whom words do not strike, neither does the rod
Latin > English (Lewis & Short)
contortĭo: ōnis, f. contorqueo. *
I A whirling round: dexterae, Auct. Her. 4, 19, 26 fin.—
II An intertwining, involving; intricacy, complication; of discourse, in the plur.: contortiones orationis, * Cic. Fat. 9, 17; Aug. Retract. 1, 50.
Latin > French (Gaffiot 2016)
contortĭō, ōnis, f. (contorqueo),
1 action de tourner : C. Aur. Chron. 1, 464
2 entortillement : contortiones orationis Cic. Fato 17, expressions obscures.
