/tawr"euhnt, tor"-/ , n.
1. a stream of water flowing with great rapidity and violence.
2. a rushing, violent, or abundant and unceasing stream of anything: a torrent of lava.
3. a violent downpour of rain.
4. a violent, tumultuous, or overwhelming flow: a torrent of abuse.
adj.
5. torrential.
[ 1595-1605; torrent- (s. of torrens ) seething, lit., burning, prp. of torrere to burn, parch; see TORRID, -ENT ]
Syn. 4. outburst, deluge, flood, spate.