Other forms: torments
Torment is severe and prolonged suffering. In torment, the torment of waiting, torment him.
The length is essential — torment goes on where pain can be brief, and mental torment is as common a use as physical. The Latin tormentum was a machine that worked by twisting, including a catapult and an instrument of torture.
1nountormentSevere and prolonged suffering.
“For years, she lived in torment, not knowing what had happened to her missing son.”
torment is a suffering.
Latin tormentum means something worked by twisting, from torquere, to twist. Torture and torque are relatives.
Proto-Indo-European
*terkʷ-
Latin
tormentum — something operated by twisting
Old French
torment
Middle English
torment
English, today
torment
Built from
From Middle English torment, from Old French torment, from Latin tormentum (“something operated by twisting”), from torquere (“to twist”).
Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA