Torque (Lat. torqueo, 'I twist'), a species of gold ornament, worn round the neck or arm, which was much in use in ancient times, both among Asiatic and north European nations. It consisted of a spirally-twisted bar of gold, bent round nearly into a circle, with the ends free, and terminating in hooks, or sometimes in serpents. These ornaments seem to have formed an important part of the wealth of those who wore them, and of the plunder obtained by the Roman conquerors from a Celtic or oriental army. Numerous examples have been dug up in Great Britain and Ireland, as well as in France.