— torturable , adj. — torturedly , adv. — torturer , n. — torturesome , adj. — torturingly , adv.
/tawr"cheuhr/ , n. , v. , tortured, torturing .
n.
1. the act of inflicting excruciating pain, as punishment or revenge, as a means of getting a confession or information, or for sheer cruelty.
2. a method of inflicting such pain.
3. Often, tortures . the pain or suffering caused or undergone.
4. extreme anguish of body or mind; agony.
5. a cause of severe pain or anguish.
v.t.
6. to subject to torture.
7. to afflict with severe pain of body or mind: My back is torturing me.
8. to force or extort by torture: We'll torture the truth from his lips!
9. to twist, force, or bring into some unnatural position or form: trees tortured by storms.
10. to distort or pervert (language, meaning, etc.).
[ 1530-40; tortura a twisting, torment, torture. See TORT, -URE ]
Syn. 6. See torment .