Torture etymology

English

English word torture comes from Proto-Indo-European *terkʷ-

Etymology of torture

Detailed word origin of torture

Dictionary entry Language Definition
*terkʷ- Proto-Indo-European (ine) to turn
torqueo Latin (lat) I hurl violently; I spin, whirl.. I torment, torture.. I twist or bend awry, distort. I twist, wind.
torta Latin (lat)
torta panis Latin (lat)
tortura Late Latin (LL)
torture Old French (842-ca. 1400) (fro)
torture English (en) (transitive) To intentionally inflict severe pain or suffering on (someone). (chiefly, literary) The "suffering of the heart" imposed by one on another, as in personal relationships.. (colloquial) (often as "absolute torture") stage fright, severe embarrassment.. Intentional causing of somebody's experiencing agony.

Words with the same origin as torture

Descendants of *terkʷ-

ace gay ginger queer ray torch torment way