torture

[ tawr-cher ]
/ ˈtɔr tʃər /

noun

verb (used with object), tor·tured, tor·tur·ing.

Origin of torture

First recorded in 1530–40, torture is from the Late Latin word tortūra a twisting, torment, torture. See tort, -ure

SYNONYMS FOR torture

6 See torment.

OTHER WORDS FROM torture

Words nearby torture

tortoni, tortricid, tortuga, tortuosity, tortuous, torture, torture porn, torturous, torula, torulopsosis, torulosis

British Dictionary definitions for self-torture

torture
/ (ˈtɔːtʃə) /

verb (tr)

to cause extreme physical pain to, esp in order to extract information, break resistance, etc to torture prisoners
to give mental anguish to
to twist into a grotesque form

noun

physical or mental anguish
the practice of torturing a person
a cause of mental agony or worry

Derived forms of torture

Word Origin for torture

C16: from Late Latin tortūra a twisting, from torquēre to twist

usage for torture

The adjective torturous is sometimes confused with tortuous. One speaks of a torturous experience, i.e. one that involves pain or suffering, but of a tortuous road, i.e. one that winds or twists