A tort is something that you do or fail to do which harms someone else and for which you can be sued for damages.
[law]
tort in British English
(tɔːt)
noun
law
a civil wrong arising from an act or failure to act, independently of any contract, for which an action for personal injury or property damages may be brought
Word origin
C14: from Old French, from Medieval Latin tortum, literally: something twisted, from Latin torquēre to twist
tort in American English
(tɔrt)
noun
a wrongful act, injury, or damage (not involving a breach of contract), for which a civil action can be brought
Word origin
OFr < ML tortum < neut. of L tortus, pp. of torquere, to twist < IE *terk-, to turn < base *ter-, to rub > throw