torch1

[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 (def 1).
verb (used without object)
6.
to burn or flare up like a torch.
verb (used with object)
7.
to subject to the flame or light of a torch, as in order to burn, sear, solder, or illuminate.
8.
Slang. to set fire to maliciously, especially in order to collect insurance.
Idioms
9.
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.
Origin
1250-1300; Middle English torche (noun) < Old French < Vulgar Latin *torca something twisted. See torque
Related forms
torchable, adjective
torchless, adjective
torchlike, adjective
British Dictionary definitions for carry a torch for

torch

/tɔːtʃ/
noun
1.
a small portable electric lamp powered by one or more dry batteries US and Canadian word flashlight
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
7.
(transitive) (slang) to set fire to, esp deliberately as an act of arson
Derived Forms
torchlike, adjective
Word Origin
C13: from Old French torche handful of twisted straw, from Vulgar Latin torca (unattested), from Latin torquēre to twist
Word Origin and History for carry a torch for

torch

n.

late 13c., from Old French torche, originally "twisted thing," hence "torch formed of twisted tow dipped in wax," probably from Vulgar Latin *torca, alteration of Late Latin torqua, variant of classical Latin torques "collar of twisted metal," from torquere "to twist" (see thwart). In Britain, also applied to the battery-driven version (in U.S., flashlight). Torch song is 1927 ("My Melancholy Baby," performed by Tommy Lyman, is said to have been the first so called), from carry a torch "suffer an unrequited love" (also 1927), an obscure notion from Broadway slang.

v.

"set fire to," 1931, from torch (n.). Related: Torched; torching.

carry a torch for in Culture

carry a torch for definition


To be infatuated with: “Frank may be engaged to Helen, but I think he still carries a torch for Laura.”

Slang definitions & phrases for carry a torch for

torch

noun

An arsonist; an incendiary; firebug: If your suspicions are right, the torch will be close by (1938+)

verb

To set a fire deliberately; burn a building: The lumberyard at 12th and C was torched, for the insurance (1931+)

Related Terms

carry the torch


Idioms and Phrases with carry a torch for

carry a torch for

Also, carry the torch for. Continue to feel the pain of unreciprocated love for, as in Jane has been carrying the torch for Bill for at least a year. The torch in this term alludes to the heat of love or passion. [ 1920s ]

torch

see: