torch

¹

[ tawrch ]

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 ( def 1 ).

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.

torch

²

[ tawrch ]

verb (used with object)

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

torch

/ tɔːtʃ /

noun

1. a small portable electric lamp powered by one or more dry batteries US and Canadian wordflashlight
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. carry a torch for
   to be in love with, esp unrequitedly
6. put to the torch
   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

Derived Forms

• ˈtorchˌlike, adjective

Other Words From

• torcha·ble adjective
• torchless adjective
• torchlike adjective

Word History and Origins

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

Origin of torch²

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

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

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. 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 .

Example Sentences

That’s because he reneged on his 2020 campaign promise to be a transitional president and pass the torch to a younger generation.

From Los Angeles Times

Now that Paris has symbolically handed the Olympic torch back to us, our Games in 2028 no longer seem so far away.

From Los Angeles Times

He said it was a "special moment" when he handed the torch over to another firefighter.

From BBC

I'd be glad to see others take up the torch of remonstrance and dissent.

From Salon

That was the season the torch passed from Ron Atkinson to Sir Alex Ferguson.

From BBC

Related Words

• beacon
• lamp
• lantern