A tort is defined as what type of wrong?

A tort is understood primarily as a civil wrong that results in harm or injury to another individual, leading to legal liability for the person who commits the tortious act. In this context, "civil" refers to the category of law that addresses disputes between individuals or entities, as opposed to criminal law, which pertains to offenses against the state or public.

"Private" in this context indicates that tort law typically involves disputes between private parties rather than actions that are considered offenses against society at large. The emphasis here is on the injury or harm to an individual's rights or property, which is a core aspect of tort law.

In focusing on the civil aspect, it is crucial to recognize that torts can cover a wide range of actions, including negligence, defamation, and intentional infliction of emotional distress, but they all fall under the umbrella of civil liability, rather than being classified as criminal acts. Thus, defining a tort as "civil or private" captures the essence of how such wrongs are legally addressed and the relationship between the parties involved.