torch

Etymology

From Middle English torche, from Old French torche (“torch; bundle of straw”), from Vulgar Latin *torca (“coiled object”), from Latin torqua, variant of torquis, from torqueō (“twist”, verb).

noun

1. A stick with a flame on one end, used chiefly as a light source; a similarly shaped implement with a replaceable supply of flammable material.
   The mob of angry villagers carried torches and pitchforks to the vampire's castle.
   1984 June–July, Frances A. Harmon, The Olympic Games - For Good and All, Ebony Jr, page 18, Eleven days before the start of the Games, a flaming torch is ignited by the sun in Olympia at the ruins of the ancient Temple of Zeus.
   Coconut palms with white-painted trunks surround the lagoon, which is lit by flaming torches at night. 2007, Lee Mylne, Frommer′s Portable Australia′s Great Barrier Reef, page 87
   2008 April 22-28, Outlook, page 48, The degradation of the torch worldwide— it had to be snuffed out more than once to protect it from protesters—even provoked angry Chinese students to mobilise “150 strong and energetic runners” to defend it in Australia, raising the spectre of violence.
2. (Commonwealth) A portable light source powered by electricity; a flashlight.
   Ernst slipped and dropped his torch on the flagstones, shattering the bulb and plunging us into darkness.
   I want you to send two unarmed policemen into the tunnel, carrying the money, and waving a torch in front of them. 1974, Robert Shaw, The Taking of Pelham One Two Three
   There are no streetlights — so you′ll need to bring a torch with you, or buy one from Joy′s Shop, if you want to venture out at night. 2003, Margo Daly, Anne Dehne, Rough Guide to Australia, page 385
   It's a good idea to bring a torch (flashlight) and maybe binoculars for wildlife spotting. 2006, Marc Llewellyn, Lee Mylne, Frommer′s Australia from $60 a Day, page 365
   Use your pocket torch and shine the light from the side to gauge the reaction to light on both sides. 2010, Nicholas Tailey, Simon O′Connor, Examination Medicine, Australia: Elsevier, page 349
3. (US) An arsonist.
   The torch, after setting up the device, drove to a town many miles from his home and then dialed his home number, successfully starting a fire in his own home. 1978, United States. Congress. Senate. Committee on Governmental Affairs. Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, Arson-for-hire: hearings before the Permanent Subcommittee..., page 172
   Upon the advice of the prosecutor, who was already at the arson unit's office, the torches were not arrested, but "detained" […] The landlord was reluctant to say anything over the phone and suggested that he and the torch should meet. 1984, Herbert F. Weisberg, Arson Investigation and Prosecution, page 137
   In the first instance, fixed surveillance at the building should be started immediately to try to catch the torch before the act. 1996, David R. Redsicker, John J. O'Connor, Practical Fire and Arson Investigation, page 358
4. A blowtorch or oxy-gas torch.
5. (science fiction) A torch drive ("a spacecraft engine which produces thrust by nuclear fusion").

verb

1. To set fire to, especially by use of a torch (flaming stick).
   Some hoodlums had torched a derelict automobile, which emitted a ghastly pall of thick, black smoke that filled the street.
2. (science fiction) To travel in a spacecraft propelled by a torch drive ("a spacecraft engine which produces thrust by nuclear fusion").