torrent Meaning, Definition & Usage

noun a heavy rain
downpour; deluge; cloudburst; soaker; pelter; waterspout.
noun a violently fast stream of water (or other liquid)
violent stream.
- the houses were swept away in the torrent
noun an overwhelming number or amount
flood; deluge; inundation.
- a flood of requests
- a torrent of abuse

F., fr. L. torrens, -entis, fr. torrens burning, roaring, boiling, p. pr. of torrere to dry by heat, to burn. See Torrid.

A violent stream, as of water, lava, or the like; a stream suddenly raised and running rapidly, as down a precipice.
The roaring torrent is deep and wide. Longfellow.
Fig.: A violent or rapid flow; a strong current; a flood; as, a torrent of vices; a torrent of eloquence.
At length, Erasmus, that great injured name, . . . Stemmed the wild torrent of a barbarous age. Pope.

See Torrent, n.