ETYM French,fr.Latin tortura, from torquere, tortum, to twist, rack, torture; probably akin to Greek trepein to turn, German drechsein to turn on a lathe, and perhaps to Eng. queer. Related to Contort, Distort, Extort, Retort, Tart, Torch, Torment, Tortion, Tort, Trope.
1. The act of torturing someone; SYN. torturing.
2. Unbearable physical pain; SYN. torment.

To subject to torture; SYN. excruciate, torment.