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torrid

 - 6 dictionary results

tor⋅rid

[tawr-id, tor-]
–adjective
1. subject to parching or burning heat, esp. of the sun, as a geographical area: the torrid sands of the Sahara.
2. oppressively hot, parching, or burning, as climate, weather, or air.
3. ardent; passionate: a torrid love story.

Origin:
1580–90; < L torridus dried up, parched, equiv. to torr(ēre) to parch, burn (see torrent, thirst ) + -idus -id 4


tor⋅rid⋅i⋅ty, tor⋅rid⋅ness, noun
tor⋅rid⋅ly, adverb


1. tropical. 2. scorching, fiery.


1. arctic. 2. frigid. 3. cool.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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tor·rid   (tôr'ĭd, tŏr'-)   
adj.   tor·rid·er, tor·rid·est
  1. Parched with the heat of the sun; intensely hot.

  2. Scorching; burning: the torrid noonday sun.

  3. Passionate; ardent: a torrid love scene.

  4. Hurried; rapid: set a torrid pace; torrid economic growth.


[Latin torridus, from torrēre, to parch; see ters- in Indo-European roots.]
tor·rid'i·ty, tor'rid·ness n., tor'rid·ly adv.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Main Entry:  torrid1
Part of Speech:  adj
Definition:  extremely and unpleasantly hot; scorching
Etymology:  Latin torrere 'to dry with heat'
Main Entry:  torrid2
Part of Speech:  adj
Definition:  intensely emotional; passionate
Etymology:  Latin torrere 'to dry with heat'
Dictionary.com's 21st Century Lexicon
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Word Origin & History

torrid 
1586, in torrid zone "region of the earth between the tropics," from L. torrida zona, from fem. of torridus "dried with heat, scorching hot," from torrere "to parch," from PIE base *ters- "to dry" (see terrain). Sense of "very hot" is first attested 1611.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Science Dictionary
torrid   (tôr'ĭd)  Pronunciation Key 
Parched with the heat of the sun.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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