A light or luminary formed of some combustible substance, as of resinous wood; a large candle or flambeau, or a lamp giving a large, flaring flame. "They light the nuptial torch." (Milton) Torch thistle.

<botany> See Thistle.

Origin: OE. Torche, F. Torche a torch, rag, wisp, pad; probably from a derivative of L. Torquere, tortum, to twist, because twisted like a rope; cf. F. Torcher to rub, wipe, It. Topcia a torch, torciare to wrap, twist, OF. Torse a torse. Cf. Torture.

(01 Mar 1998)

top-shell, topsoil, toque, tor, torbernite < Prev | Next > TORCH syndrome, torchwood, torchwort

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