torch

¹ American  

[tawrch] / tɔrtʃ /

verb (used with object)

1. Masonry. to point (the joints between roofing slates) with a mixture of lime and hair.

---

torch ² American  

[tawrch] / tɔrtʃ /

noun

1. 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.

2. something considered as a source of illumination, enlightenment, guidance, etc..

   the torch of learning.

3. any of various lamplike devices that produce a hot flame and are used for soldering, burning off paint, etc.

4. Slang. an arsonist.

5. Chiefly British. flashlight.

---

verb (used without object)

1. to burn or flare up like a torch.

verb (used with object)

1. to subject to the flame or light of a torch, as in order to burn, sear, solder, or illuminate.

2. Slang. to set fire to maliciously, especially in order to collect insurance.

idioms

1. carry the / a torch for, to be in love with, especially to suffer from unrequited love for.

   He still carries a torch for his ex-wife.

torch British  

/ tɔːtʃ /

noun

1. US and Canadian word: flashlight.  a small portable electric lamp powered by one or more dry batteries

2. a wooden or tow shaft dipped in wax or tallow and set alight

3. anything regarded as a source of enlightenment, guidance, etc

   the torch of evangelism

4. any apparatus that burns with a hot flame for welding, brazing, or soldering

5. to be in love with, esp unrequitedly

6. to set fire to; burn down

   the looted monastery was put to the torch

---

verb

1. slang (tr) to set fire to, esp deliberately as an act of arson

torch More Idioms  

1. see carry a torch; pass the torch.

---

Other Word Forms

• torchable adjective
• torchless adjective
• torchlike adjective

Etymology

Origin of torch¹

First recorded in 1850–60; from French torcher “to plaster with a mixture of clay and chopped straw,” derivative of torche “a twist of straw”; torch ¹

Origin of torch¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English noun torch(e), from Old French torche, torque, from Vulgar Latin torca (unattested) “something twisted”; torque

Example Sentences

He carried his pack and the extra weight of a heavy rope, a small ax, and their supply of torches with ease.

From Literature

Finally, two Olympic torches were lit two Olympic cauldrons, in Milan and Cortina, their flames at the center of shape-shifting spheres.

From Los Angeles Times

To unite the Italian host cities, the Olympic flame was passed out of the stadium as Bocelli belted and the torch simultaneously reached two cauldrons.

From Los Angeles Times

Still, it seems the villagers have put down their torches and pitchforks for now.

From Barron's

Still, it seems the villagers have put down their torches and pitchforks for now.

From Barron's

Related Words

• beacon
• lamp
• lantern