Tor"rent (?), n. [F., fr. L. torrens, -entis, fr. torrens burning, roaring, boiling, p. pr. of torrere to dry by heat, to burn. See Torrid.]
1.
A violent stream, as of water, lava, or the like; a stream suddenly raised and running rapidly, as down a precipice.
The roaring torrent is deep and wide.
Longfellow.
2.
Fig.: A violent or rapid flow; a strong current; a flood; as, a torrent of vices; a torrent of eloquence.
At length, Erasmus, that great injured name, . . .
Stemmed the wild torrent of a barbarous age.
Pope.
© Webster 1913.
Tor"rent, a. [See Torrent, n.]
Rolling or rushing in a rapid stream.
"Waves of
torrent fire."
Milton.
© Webster 1913.