[tor.ment] n [ME, fr. OF, fr. L tormentum torture; akin to torquere to twist--more at torture] (14c) 1: the infliction of torture (as by rack or wheel)
2: extreme pain or anguish of body or mind: agony
3: a source of vexation or pain
[2]tor.ment vt (14c) 1: to cause severe usu. persistent or recurrent distress of body or mind to "cattle ~ed by flies"
2: distort, twist syn see afflict