I. ˈtȯrˌment, -ȯ(ə)ˌm- sometimes chiefly Brit -_mənt noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English, from Old French, from Latin tormentum torture, instrument of torture, engine for hurling missiles, from torquēre to twist, turn — more at torture
1.
a. : the infliction of torture (as by rack or wheel) to punish or coerce someone
b. : the pain suffered by a victim of torture
2. : extreme pain or anguish of body or mind : severe distress : agony
showed the bodily torment she was suffering — George Meredith
five minutes of her were torment to the ear — John Buchan
the torment of the betrayed husband — T.S.Eliot
3. : a raging storm : tempest
4.
a. : a source or cause of physical or mental suffering or vexation : something that agitates, troubles, or pains
the task of editing her … is both a tease and a torment — Mark Van Doren
b. : someone that causes vexation or pain : tormentor
burst out into violent rages, and was a torment to his friends — Rumer Godden
II. (ˈ) ̷ ̷|ment transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English tormenten, from Old French tormenter, from Late Latin tormentare, from Latin tormentum torment
1.
a. : to cause (someone) severe suffering of body or mind : inflict pain or anguish on : afflict , distress , rack
he was … tormented with hunger and thirst — Nevil Shute
she was … obviously tormented by shyness — Compton Mackenzie
problems that torment men's hearts and warp men's lives — H.E.Fosdick
b. : to subject to extreme physical strain or agitation : stir up : disturb , twist
the water is tormented as if a hurricane had struck it — Alan Villiers
lit another cigaret, or tormented another pipe — Ellery Queen
its atmosphere would be increasingly tormented by aeroplanes — Eric Linklater
c. : to cause worry or vexation to : harass , plague , trouble
a last will and testament that was to torment legal minds for a century to come — American Guide Series: Massachusetts
2. : to educe undue or unreal subtlety or complexity in : overrefine or complicate the interpretation of : read or explain deviously : distort
tormented the argument out of all honesty and directness
torments the texts to yield readings more ingenious than probable
Synonyms: see afflict