torture

English

/ˈtɔɹt͡ʃɚ/, /ˈtɔːt͡ʃə(ɹ)/

noun
Definitions
  • intentional causing of somebody's experiencing agony
  • (chiefly) the "suffering of the heart" imposed by one on another, as in personal relationships
  • (colloquial) (often as "absolute torture") stage fright, severe embarrassment

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English torture derived from Old French torture derived from Latin tortūra (torture, twisting), tortus (twisted, folded over) root from Proto-Indo-European *terkʷ- (turn, twist, spin, wind).

Origin

Proto-Indo-European

*terkʷ-

Gloss

turn, twist, spin, wind

Concept
Semantic Field

Motion

Ontological Category

Action/Process

Kanji

Emoji
🙃

Timeline

Distribution of cognates by language

Geogrpahic distribution of cognates

Cognates and derived terms