torch English · revision 39865

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=c. 1290, South English Legendary|origins=la torqueō}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * UK: /ˈtɔːt͡ʃ/^(Wiktionary)

+ * US: /ˈtoɹt͡ʃ/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|torche]], [[bor|fro|torche]],^(OED 2026)^(AHD 2024)^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(AND) which in Old French and Anglo-Norman meant both a torch of twisted tow dipped in pitch or wax and a twisted bundle of hay or straw.^(AND)^(Klein 1966)^(MWU 2024) It probably comes from [[la-vul|*torca]], an alteration of [[m|la|torqua]], a variant of [[m|la|torquēs|t=a twisted metal collar]],^(AHD 2024)^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(SOED 2002)^(ODE 2010) from [[m|la|torqueō|t=to twist]].^(OED 2026)^(AHD 2024)^(Hoad 1986) The first meaning was thus "something twisted", torches being made of twisted tow or hemp soaked in pitch or wax.^(OED 2026)^(Barnhart 1995)^(Ayto 2005)^(Cresswell 2021) Related forms are [[m|it|torcia]], [[m|es|antorcha]] and [[m|pt|tocha]].^(OED 2026)^(Weekley 1921) The same Latin verb gave [[torque]], [[torture]], [[torment]], [[contort]], [[distort]], [[extort]] and [[retort]].^(Cresswell 2021)^(Ayto 2005)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ A light carried in the hand, made of resinous wood or of twisted fibre soaked in tallow or resin: about 1290, in the ''South English Legendary'';^(OED 2026)^(HTOED) Barnhart dates the form ''torche'' to about 1250 and Etymonline to the mid-13th century.^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The torch as a source of light became a figure for anything that enlightens or guides, from the 1620s, in Burton's ''Anatomy of Melancholy'';^(Etymonline)^(OED 2026) the image of passing on the torch recalls the torch races of ancient Greece, in which runners handed a burning torch on.^(Etymonline)^(Cresswell 2021)^(Weekley 1921) A ''torchlight'' is recorded about 1425 and a ''torch-bearer'' from 1538, as the leader of a cause from 1847.^(Barnhart 1988) In Britain the word was transferred to a battery-powered electric lamp, recorded from 1901,^(Barnhart 1988)^(HTOED) which Americans call a [[flashlight]], while in American English ''torch'' still means the flaming kind.^(Cresswell 2021)^(Ayto 2005)^(Collins 2023) A ''torch'' was also a blowtorch from 1909,^(OED 2026)^(MWU 2024) and in US slang an arsonist from 1938,^(OED 2026)^(Etymonline) a large cigar from 1878.^(GDoS) The verb meant to light with torches from 1819, in Keats's ''Isabella'',^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) and to set on fire from 1931, first in US slang.^(OED 2026)^(GDoS)^(ODE 2010) A ''torch song'', a sad song of unrequited love, is attested by 1927, from ''carry a torch for'', to love someone who does not return it.^(Etymonline)^(Cresswell 2021)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1290 – a light carried in the hand.^(OED 2026)^(Barnhart 1995)

+ * c. 1425 – ''torchlight''.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1552 – ''torches'', the great mullein.^(OED 2026)

+ * 1620s – figuratively, a source of guidance.^(Etymonline)^(OED 2026)

+ * 1819 – verb: to light with torches.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)

+ * 1901 – an electric torch (British).^(Barnhart 1988)^(HTOED)

+ * 1909 – a blowtorch.^(OED 2026)

+ * 1927 – ''torch song''.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1931 – verb: to set on fire (US slang).^(OED 2026)^(GDoS)

+ * 1938 – an arsonist (US slang).^(OED 2026)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # ''(British)'' A small portable electric [[lamp]] powered by [[battery|alt=batteries]]; a [[flashlight]].^(Collins 2023)^(SOED 2002)

+ # A stick of wood or twisted fibre dipped in a flammable substance and lit, carried to give [[light]].^(Collins 2023)^(MWU 2024)

+ # A device that burns gas to give a very hot flame, used in [[weld|alt=welding]] and [[solder|alt=soldering]]; a [[blowtorch]].^(Collins 2023)^(MWU 2024)

+ # Something that gives [[enlightenment]] or guidance: ''They hoped to keep the torch of learning alight.''^(Collins 2023)^(OED 2026)

+ # ''carry a torch for'': to love someone who does not love one in return.^(Collins 2023)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ===Verb===

+ # ''(informal)'' To set fire to, especially deliberately: ''The gang torched the warehouse.''^(OED 2026)^(MWU 2024)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[torchable]]

+ * [[torchless]]

+ * [[torchlike]]

+ * [[torchbearer]]

+ * [[torchlight]]

+ * [[torchwood]]

+ * [[torchy]]

+ * [[torch lily]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[torque]]

+ * [[torc]]

+ * [[torture]]

+ * [[torment]]

+ * [[distort]]

+ * [[extort]]

+ * [[retort]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ A separate plastering verb ''torch'', to point the joints of slates with lime-and-hair mortar, comes from [[m|fr|torcher|t=to daub, to plaster with clay and straw]], a derivative of the same French noun.^(OED 2026)^(MWU 2024)^(Dictionary.com 2016)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}