Torrent
/ˈtɔːr.ənt/noun
A strong and fast-moving stream of water or, figuratively, a sudden outpouring of something.
Did you know?Latin *torrens* originally described water that is “scorching” or “parching” because it comes from the same root as *torreō*—to dry out, burn, or roast—so a torrent is etymologically a kind of violently burning force.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*ters-
“to dry up, be parched”
Latin
Latin
torreō
“I dry, parch, roast, burn”
Latin
Latin
torrēns
“a drying-up or rushing stream; a stream swollen by rain”
Late Latin
Latin
torrentem
“rushing stream, flood”
Old French
Old French
torrent
“torrent, rushing stream”
Middle English
English
torrent
“a rushing stream; a violent outpouring”
Modern English
English
torrent
“a strong, fast-moving stream or a sudden outpouring”