torment

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. tormented p. pr. & vb. n. tormenting. ] [ OF. tormenter, F. tourmenter. ] 1. To put to extreme pain or anguish; to inflict excruciating misery upon, either of body or mind; to torture. “ Art thou come hither to torment us before our time? ” Matt. viii. 29. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To pain; to distress; to afflict. [ 1913 Webster ]

Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented. Matt. viii. 6. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To tease; to vex; to harass; as, to be tormented with importunities, or with petty annoyances. [ Colloq. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

4. To put into great agitation. [ R. ] “[ They ], soaring on main wing, tormented all the air.” Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. One who, or that which, torments; a tormentor. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. An executioner. [ Obs. ] Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Full of torment; causing, or accompanied by, torment; excruciating. [ R. ] Tillotson. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ F. tormentille; cf. Pr., It., & NL. tormentilla, Sp. tormentila; all fr. L. tormentum pain. So called because it is said to allay pain. See Torment. ] (Bot.) A rosaceous herb (Potentilla Tormentilla), the root of which is used as a powerful astringent, and for alleviating gripes, or tormina, in diarrhea. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Causing torment; as, a tormenting dream. -- Tor*ment"ing*ly, adv. [1913 Webster]

n. [ See Torment. ] Torture; torment. [ Obs. ] Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. One who, or that which, torments; one who inflicts penal anguish or tortures. Jer. Taylor. [ 1913 Webster ]

Thoughts, my tormentors, armed with deadly stings. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Agric.) An implement for reducing a stiff soil, resembling a harrow, but running upon wheels. Hebert. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A woman who torments. [ 1913 Webster ]

Fortune ordinarily cometh after to whip and punish them, as the scourge and tormentress of glory and honor. Holland. [ 1913 Webster ]