torture

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tor·ture / ˈtôrchər/ • n. the action or practice of inflicting severe pain on someone as a punishment or to force them to do or say something, or for the pleasure of the person inflicting the pain. ∎  great physical or mental suffering or anxiety: the torture I've gone through because of loving you so. ∎  a cause of such suffering or anxiety: dances were absolute torture because I was so small.• v. [tr.] inflict severe pain on: most of the victims had been brutally tortured. ∎  cause great mental suffering or anxiety to: he was tortured by grief.DERIVATIVES: tor·tur·er n.

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