torment

Where does the word "torment" come from? It comes from Latin torquere, passing through Latin and Old French before entering English (1200s).

Torment’s story begins in Latin: torquere meant “to twist.” The root of 'torture', 'torque' and 'distort'. Within Latin, it grew into tormentum by ancient. An instrument of torture, a twisting engine of war, from torquere. From there it passed into Old French as torment by medieval. Carried into French for severe physical or mental suffering. It reached English by 1200s as torment. Settled as the English word for severe physical or mental suffering. Today, torment means severe physical or mental suffering, or to cause such suffering.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient torquere "to twist", the root of 'torture', 'torque' and 'distort'.
2. Stage 2 · Latin · ancient tormentum "an instrument of torture", an instrument of torture, a twisting engine of war, from torquere.
3. Stage 3 · Old French · medieval torment "severe physical or mental suffering", carried into French for severe physical or mental suffering.
4. Stage 4 · English · 1200s torment "severe physical or mental suffering", settled as the English word for severe physical or mental suffering.