Tŏr'rent1, n.
n. [Fr. & Pr. torrent, Sp., Pg., & It. torrente, Lat. torrens, torrentis, from torrens, burning, roaring, boiling, p. pr. of torrere, to dry by heat, to burn. Cf. BOURN.]
Sense 1. A violent stream, as of water, lava, or the like; a stream suddenly raised and running rapidly, as down a precipice.
The roaring torrent is deep and wide. Longfellow.
Sense 2. A violent or rapid flow; a strong current; as, a torrent of vices and follies; a torrent of corruption.
At length, Erasmus, that great, injured name, Stemmed the wild torrent of a barbarous age. Pope.