English Explanatory Dictionary

torture

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. The infliction of severe pain or anguish, especially as an interrogation technique or punishment; (usually in the plural) a technique, method, or device which is designed to inflict such anguish.
  2. Sexual activity involving the infliction of pain to a certain body part or in a certain manner.
  3. Severe pain or anguish, of mind or body.
  4. An unpleasant sensation or its infliction: embarrassment, heartache, etc.
verb
  1. To intentionally inflict severe pain or suffering on (someone), usually with the aim of forcing confessions or punishing them.

Pronunciation

/ˈtoɹt͡ʃɚ/ /ˈtɔːt͡ʃə(ɹ)/ en-us-torture.ogg

Word forms

torture tortures torturing tortured

Etymology

From Middle English torture, from Old French torture, from Late Latin tortūra (“a twisting, writhing, of bodily pain, a griping colic;” in Medieval Latin “pain inflicted by judicial or ecclesiastical authority as a means of persuasion, torture”), from Latin tortus (whence also tort), past participle of torquēre (“to twist”).

Synonyms

enhanced interrogation torture torment excruciate enhanced interrogation techniques anguish rend difficulty distress grief hardship pain smart trouble misery wark afflict ache aggrieve agonize dere hurt irritate pang pine rack throe wring

Related words

tart torment tort torta agony agonize

Derived words

bamboo torture C&B torture C & B torture C and B torture Chinese water torture surf torture torture chamber torture-meister torture stake torture-test torture test torture warrant torturee torturer

Translations

Armenian: չարչարանք Czech: muka German: Tortur Hungarian: kínszenvedés Macedonian: стра́дање Macedonian: страда́ние Macedonian: ма́чење Macedonian: ма́ка Norwegian: tortur Russian: страда́ние Russian: му́ка Russian: муче́ние Spanish: suplicio Turkish: işkence Turkish: eziyet
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