term:

Tort

tort 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 "National Law Journal"] [cannot sue in ] compare crime, delict

Source: Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law ©1996. Merriam-Webster, Incorporated. Published under license with Merriam-Webster, Incorporated.