I. ˈtȯrənt, ˈtär- noun
( -s )
Etymology: French, from Latin torrent-, torrens, from torrent-, torrens burning, seething, rushing, from present participle of torrēre to dry, parch, burn; akin to Old High German derren to dry, parch, Old Norse therra, Sanskrit tarṣayati he causes to thirst — more at thirst
1. : a violent stream of a liquid (as water or lava) ; especially : a rushing stream of water (as a flooded river or one suddenly raised by a heavy rain or thaw and descending a steep incline)
2.
a. : a mountain channel that is often dry though filled with rushing water at some times or seasons
b. : an intermittent branch
3. : a raging flood : a tumultuous outpouring : flux , rush
let loose a torrent of speculative buying — O.S.Nock
engulfed in a torrent of enemy troops — H.L.Merillat
philosophy … provided a foothold for man above the torrent of circumstance — John Buchan
II. adjective
Etymology: Latin torrent-, torrens, adjective
: torrential
rich, grassy orchards and a torrent stream — M.C.A.Henniker