torment etymology

Etymology:

  • Old French: "tormenter"
  • Latin: "tormentum"
  • Greek: "tormén" (instrument of torture)

Meaning:

  • Severe physical or mental pain or suffering
  • Something that causes great distress or anguish
  • (archaic) A device used for torture

Origin:

The word "torment" has a long and varied history, originating from ancient times:

  • Ancient Greece: The original Greek term "tormén" referred to a specific type of torture device, such as a rack or a wheel.
  • Latin: The Latin "tormentum" adopted the same meaning, encompassing both the physical device and the suffering it caused.
  • Old French: In Old French, "tormenter" evolved to refer more generally to any form of severe pain or suffering.
  • English: The word "torment" entered English in the 13th century and has retained its meaning of extreme pain and distress.

Usage:

Today, "torment" is used in a variety of contexts, including:

  • Physical pain caused by injury or illness
  • Emotional distress caused by loss, betrayal, or other traumatic events
  • Psychological discomfort or mental suffering caused by guilt, anxiety, or depression
  • Figuratively, to describe a situation that is extremely unpleasant or difficult

torment relate terms

  • tormentor

    Etymology Latin tormentor ōris French tourmenteur Meaning A person who inflict

  • torment

    Etymology Old French tormenter Latin tormentum Greek tormén instrument of to

  • torture

    Etymology The word torture comes from the Latin tortus meaning twisted or wrung

  • torment

    Etymology Old French tormenter Latin tormentum Greek tormén instrument of to

  • contort

    Etymology From Middle English contorten to twist or bend out of shape from Late La

  • distort

    Etymology Latin distorquere meaning to twist out of shape Dis apart torquere

  • extort

    Etymology The word extort comes from the Latin word extorquere which means to twist

  • extortion

    Etymology Latin extorquēre to wring out French extorquer to extort Meaning

  • nasturtium

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  • thwart

    Etymology The word thwart has its origins in the Old English word þweorh which mean

  • torch

    Etymology The word torch has its origins in the Old French word torche which itself

  • torment

    Etymology Old French tormenter Latin tormentum Greek tormén instrument of to

  • torque

    Etymology Derived from the Latin word torquere meaning to twist or to turn Me

  • torsion

    Etymology The word torsion is derived from the Latin word torsio meaning a twisting

  • tort

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  • torticollis

    Etymology Latin tortus twisted collum neck Meaning A condition character

  • tortuous

    Etymology Latin tortuosus meaning crooked winding Late Latin tortura meaning

  • torture

    Etymology The word torture comes from the Latin tortus meaning twisted or wrung

  • truss

    Etymology Middle English trus Old French trus beam support Late Latin trabs beam

  • excruciate

    Etymology From Latin excruciātus past participle of excruciō meaning to torture

  • rack

    Etymology Middle English rake from Old English racu meaning heap pile ridge Prot

  • quell

    Etymology Old High German quëllan Old Saxon quellan Middle Low German quellen Middle

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  • crucify

    Etymology The word crucify comes from the Latin word crucifigere which is a compound