n. & v.
n. 1 the infliction of severe bodily pain esp. as a punishment or a means of persuasion. 2 severe physical or mental suffering (the torture of defeat).
v.tr. 1 subject to torture (tortured by guilt). 2 force out of a natural position or state; deform; pervert. torturable adj. torturer n. torturous adj. torturously adv.
[ F f. LL tortura twisting (as TORT) ]