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View synonyms for torch
torch
1[ tawrch ]
noun
- a light to be carried in the hand, consisting of some combustible substance, as resinous wood, or of twisted flax or the like soaked with tallow or other flammable substance, ignited at the upper end.
- something considered as a source of illumination, enlightenment, guidance, etc.:
the torch of learning.
- any of various lamplike devices that produce a hot flame and are used for soldering, burning off paint, etc.
- Slang. an arsonist.
- Chiefly British. flashlight ( def 1 ).
verb (used without object)
- to burn or flare up like a torch.
verb (used with object)
- to subject to the flame or light of a torch, as in order to burn, sear, solder, or illuminate.
- Slang. to set fire to maliciously, especially in order to collect insurance.
torch
2[ tawrch ]
verb (used with object)
- Masonry. to point (the joints between roofing slates) with a mixture of lime and hair.
torch
/ tɔːtʃ /
noun
- a small portable electric lamp powered by one or more dry batteries US and Canadian wordflashlight
- a wooden or tow shaft dipped in wax or tallow and set alight
- anything regarded as a source of enlightenment, guidance, etc
the torch of evangelism
- any apparatus that burns with a hot flame for welding, brazing, or soldering
- carry a torch forto be in love with, esp unrequitedly
- put to the torchto set fire to; burn down
the looted monastery was put to the torch
verb
- slang.tr to set fire to, esp deliberately as an act of arson
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Derived Forms
- ˈtorchˌlike, adjective
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Other Words From
- torcha·ble adjective
- torchless adjective
- torchlike adjective
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Word History and Origins
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Word History and Origins
Origin of torch1
C13: from Old French torche handful of twisted straw, from Vulgar Latin torca (unattested), from Latin torquēre to twist
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Idioms and Phrases
Idioms
- carry the / a torch for, Slang. to be in love with, especially to suffer from unrequited love for:
He still carries a torch for his ex-wife.
More idioms and phrases containing torch
see carry a torch ; pass the torch .Advertisement
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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