First Known Use: 1540
Dictionary
1torture
noun tor·ture \ˈtȯr-chər\
: the act of causing severe physical pain as a form of punishment or as a way to force someone to do or say something
: something that causes mental or physical suffering : a very painful or unpleasant experience
Full Definition of TORTURE
1
a : anguish of body or mind : agony b : something that causes agony or pain
2
: the infliction of intense pain (as from burning, crushing, or wounding) to punish, coerce, or afford sadistic pleasure
3
: distortion or overrefinement of a meaning or an argument : straining
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Origin of TORTURE
Middle French, from Old French, from Late Latin tortura, from Latin tortus, past participle of torquēre to twist; probably akin to Old High German drāhsil turner, Greek atraktos spindle
Related to TORTURE
Rhymes with TORTURE
2torture
transitive verb
: to cause (someone) to experience severe physical pain especially as a form of punishment or to force that person to do or say something
: to cause (someone) to feel very worried, unhappy, etc.
tor·turedtor·tur·ing \ˈtȯrch-riŋ, ˈtȯr-chə-\
Full Definition of TORTURE
1
: to cause intense suffering to : torment
2
: to punish or coerce by inflicting excruciating pain
First Known Use of TORTURE
1588
Related to TORTURE
Synonym Discussion of TORTURE
afflict, try, torment, torture, rack mean to inflict on a person something that is hard to bear. afflict is a general term and applies to the causing of pain or suffering or of acute annoyance, embarrassment, or any distress <ills that afflict the elderly>. try suggests imposing something that strains the powers of endurance or of self-control <children often try their parents' patience>. torment suggests persecution or the repeated inflicting of suffering or annoyance <a horse tormented by flies>. torture adds the implication of causing unbearable pain or suffering <tortured by a sense of guilt>. rack stresses straining or wrenching <a body racked by pain>.
TORTURE Defined for Kids
1torture
noun tor·ture \ˈtȯr-chər\
Definition of TORTURE for Kids
1
: the act of causing great pain especially to punish or to obtain a confession
2
: distress of body or mind <Waiting is just torture for me.>
2torture
verb
tor·turedtor·tur·ing
Definition of TORTURE for Kids
1
: to punish or force someone to do or say something by causing great pain
2
: to cause great suffering to
— tor·tur·er noun
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