n.1 a rushing stream of water, lava, etc.
2 (in pl.) a great downpour of rain (came down in torrents).
3 (usu. foll. by of) a violent or copious flow (uttered a torrent of abuse).
Derivatives:
torrential adj. torrentially adv.
Etymology: F f. It. torrente f. L torrens -entis scorching, boiling, roaring f. torrere scorch