What is tort(侵權)?

Tort is a legal term that means a civil wrong, as opposed to a criminal wrong, that is recognized by law as grounds for a lawsuit. Unlike voluntarily assumed obligations on the parties created through a contract, the duties imposed under tort law are mandatory for all citizens in that jurisdiction. Somebody behaves 'tortiously' when they harm other people's bodies, property, or legal rights, or breach a duty owed under statutory law.

want more source in detail, please go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tort