Meaning of Torch | Babel Free

Definitions

1. A stick of wood or plant fibres twisted together, with one end soaked in a flammable substance such as resin or tallow and set on fire, which is held in the hand, put into a wall bracket, or stuck into the ground, and used chiefly as a light source.
2. A similarly shaped implement with a replaceable supply of flammable material; specifically, a pole with a lamp at one end.
   broadly
3. Ellipsis of electric torch: synonym of flashlight (“a battery-powered hand-held light source”).
   Commonwealth, abbreviation, alt-of, broadly, ellipsis
4. A flower which is red or red-orange in colour like a flame.
   broadly
5. A spike (“kind of inflorescence”) made up of spikelets.
   broadly
6. The common mullein, great mullein, or torchwort (Verbascum thapsus).
   broadly, in-plural
7. A cactus with a very elongated body; a ceroid cactus; a torch cactus or torch-thistle.
   broadly, obsolete
8. A source of enlightenment or guidance.
   figuratively
9. In carry, hand on, pass on, take up the torch: a precious cause, principle, tradition, etc., which needs to be protected and transmitted to others.
   figuratively
10. Ellipsis of torch drive (“a spacecraft engine which produces thrust by nuclear fusion”).
    abbreviation, alt-of, ellipsis
11. Ellipsis of blowtorch (“a tool which projects a controlled stream of a highly flammable gas over a spark in order to produce a controlled flame”).
    Canada, US, abbreviation, alt-of, ellipsis
12. An arsonist.
    US, slang

Equivalents

Examples

“The mob of angry villagers carried torches and pitchforks to the vampire’s castle.”

“Enter⟳ at one doore Æneas, at another Paris, Deiphobus, Antemor [i.e., Antenor], Diomed [i.e., Diomedes] vvith torches.”

“[A]mongſt the ancients there vvas Amor Lethes [Love⟳ Dies], hee tooke burning torches, and extinguiſhed them in the riuer, his ſtatua vvas to be ſeene in the Temple of Venus Eiuſina, of vvhich Ovid makes mention⟳, and ſaith that all louers of olde vvent thither a pilgrimate, that vvould be rid⟳ of their loue pangs.”

“[F]or this vile woman was I about to commit to danger the lives of so many noble friends—shake⟳ the foundation of a lawful throne—carry⟳ the sword and torch through the bosom of a peaceful land⟳— […]”

“In easy state upon this couch, there sat a jolly Giant, glorious to see⟳; who bore a glowing torch, in shape⟳ not unlike Plenty's horn, and held it up, high up, to shed⟳ its light⟳ on Scrooge, as he came peeping round the door.”

“He remembered […] how he heard Mrs Coldfield's feet and saw⟳ the light⟳ of the torch approaching along the upper hall and how she came and passed him, […]”

“The large lagoon-style pool has a sandy beach and swim-up bar. Coconut palms with white-painted trunks surround⟳ the lagoon, which is lit by flaming torches at night.”

“Eleven days before the start⟳ of the [modern Olympic] Games, a flaming torch is ignited by the sun in Olympia at the ruins of the ancient Temple of Zeus. With that flame, relay runners lighted torches one from the other and carry⟳ it to the opening of the Games. Ever since 1936, the Summer Olympics has had its fire-font lit by a relay torch ignited at Olympia.”

“The degradation of the [Olympic] 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.”

“The Paris 2024 Paralympic Torch, characterised by its sparkling champaign^([sic – meaning champagne]) colour and unique design⟳, represents the spirit of the Games. […] With its gentle curves, the torch represents a sense⟳ of peace and solidarity. It stands as a symbol of the Paralympic Games' mission to promote⟳ harmony and unity.”

“Ernst slipped and dropped his torch on the flagstones, shattering the bulb and plunging us into darkness.”

“We were too excited to return⟳ to the camp, but must make⟳ our first exploration at once. Lord John had an electric torch in his knapsack, and this had to serve⟳ us as light⟳.”

“I want⟳ you to send⟳ two unarmed policemen into the tunnel, carrying the money, and waving a torch in front of them.”

“[L]ook at the pupils [of the eyes], noting the shape⟳, relative sizes and any associated ptosis. Use⟳ a pocket torch and shine⟳ the light⟳ from the side to gauge the reaction of the pupils to light⟳.”

“If you can be bothered to carry⟳ them, it is a good idea to bring⟳ a torch (flashlight) and maybe binoculars for wildlife spotting.”

“The island has only one road and relatively few cars. 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.”

“Of this kinde, there is founde an other, the Spikes, eares, or torches wherof, are very dubble, ſo as in euery Spyky eare, in ſteede of the little knappes or heades, it bringeth forth a number⟳ of other ſmal torches, wherof eche one is lyke to the ſpike or torch of great Plantayne.”

“[page 118] The white male Mulleyn (or rather Wolleyn) hath […] the whole top with his pleaſant yellow floures ſheweth like⟳ to a waxe Candell or taper cunningly wrought. […] [pages 119–120] Mulleyn is called […] in English alſo Tapſus barbatus, Mulleyne, or rather Wulleyn, Hig[h]taper, Torches, and Longworte: […]”

“Cereus Peruuianus ſpinoſus L'Obelij. The torch, or thornie Euphorbium. […] [T]his plant⟳, vvhich is called of the Indians in their mother toong Vragua, vvhich is as much to ſay, a torch, taper, or vvaxe candle, vvhereupon it hath been called in Latine of thoſe that vnderſtoode the Indian toong, Cereus, or a torch […] riſeth vp to the height of a ſpeare of 20. foote long, […]”

“[T]he Scholars of our eyes, / Our Beaux from Gallantry vvould ſoon be vviſe; / VVould gladly light⟳, their homage to improve⟳, / The Lamp of Knovvledge at the Torch of Love⟳!”

“Some years ago, another Houston torch attached a kitchen match⟳ to the bell striker on an ordinary telephone so that it would vibrate when the phone rang. He placed a piece of sandpaper close⟳ enough to the match⟳ so that when the bell rang, the match⟳ rubbed the surface of the sandpaper and started a fire. 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.”

“Upon the advice of the prosecutor, who was already at the arson unit's office, the torches were not arrested, but "detained" and offered the opportunity to cooperate with the investigators in their efforts to implicate the landlord. […] As one torch had had most contact⟳ with their employer, investigators decided that he should make⟳ a call⟳ to the landlord on a tapped telephone and try⟳ and discuss⟳ the planned fire with him. The landlord was reluctant to say⟳ anything over the phone and suggested that he and the torch should meet⟳.”

“A registered confidential informant may provide⟳ information, either that a particular building has been targeted to burn or that an identified "torch" has been contracted to burn some unknown building. In the first instance, fixed surveillance at the building should be started immediately to try⟳ to catch⟳ the torch before the act.”

CEFR level