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Webster's Dictionary (1865)

2 entries under this word

Torment

Tōr'ment, n.

noun

n. [O. Fr. torment, N. Fr. tourment, Pr. torment, turmen, Sp., Pg., & It. tormento, from Lat. tormentum, an engine for hurling missiles, an instrument of torture, a rack, torture, pain, properly an instrument with which any thing is turned or twisted, from torquere, to turn, to twist.]

  1. (Antiq.) An engine for casting stones. [Obs.]
  2. Extreme pain; anguish; the utmost degree of misery, either of body or mind.

The more I see Pleasure about me, so much I feel Torment within me. Milton. 3. That which gives pain, vexation, or misery. They brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments. Matt. iv. 24.

Tor-mĕnt’, v. t.

verbtransitive

v. t. [imp. & p. p. TORMENTED; p. pr. & vb. n. TORMENTING.] [O. Fr. tourmenter, N. Fr. tourmenter, Pr. tormentar, turmentar, Sp. & Pg. tormentar, It. tormentare.]

Sense 1. To put to extreme pain or anguish; to inflict excruciating misery upon, either of body or mind.

Art thou come hither to torment us before the time? Matt. viii. 29.

Sense 2. To pain; to distress; to afflict.

Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented. Matt. viii. 6.

Sense 3. To tease; to vex; to harass; as, to be tormented with importunities, or with petty annoyances.

Sense 4. To put into great agitation. [Rare.]

[They], soaring on main wing, Tormented all the air. Milton.