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.

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