3  definitions  found 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Torch  \Torch\  (t[^o]rch),  n.  [OE.  torche,  F.  torche  a  torch, 
  rag,  wisp,  pad;  probably  from  a  derivative  of  L.  torquere 
  tortum  to  twist,  because  twisted  like  a  rope;  cf  F.  torcher 
  to  rub,  wipe,  It  topcia  a  torch,  torciare  to  wrap,  twist, 
  OF  torse  a  torse.  Cf  {Torture}.] 
  A  light  or  luminary  formed  of  some  combustible  substance,  as 
  of  resinous  wood;  a  large  candle  or  flambeau,  or  a  lamp 
  giving  a  large  flaring  flame. 
 
  They  light  the  nuptial  torch.  --Milton. 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Torchwort  \Torch"wort`\,  n.  (Bot.) 
  The  common  mullein,  the  stalks  of  which  dipped  in  suet, 
  anciently  served  for  torches.  Called  also  {torch},  and 
  {hig-taper}. 
 
  From  WordNet  r  1.6  [wn]: 
 
  torch 
  n  1:  a  light  carried  in  the  hand;  consists  of  some  flammable 
  substance 
  2:  tall-stalked  very  woolly  mullein  with  densely  packed  yellow 
  flowers;  ancient  Greeks  and  Romans  dipped  the  stalks  in 
  tallow  for  funeral  torches  [syn:  {common  mullein},  {great 
  mullein},  {Aaron's  rod},  {flannel  mullein},  {woolly 
  mullein},  {Verbascum  thapsus}] 
  3:  a  small  portable  battery-powered  electric  lamp  [syn:  {flashlight}] 
  4:  a  burner  that  produces  a  hot  flame  [syn:  {blowtorch},  {blowlamp}] 
  v  :  burn  maliciously,  as  by  arson;  "The  madman  torched  the 
  barns" 

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