Definition

1. Noun:

   • A portable light source: A device that produces light, typically held in the hand. This can be a stick with a burning flammable material at one end (traditional torch) or a battery-powered electric lamp (modern torch, especially in British English).
   • A source of intense heat or flame: A burner that mixes air and gas to produce a very hot, focused flame, often used in welding or metalwork.
   • A symbol: Something that represents enlightenment, knowledge, or a cause, often used in a metaphorical sense.

2. Verb:

   • To set fire to deliberately: To burn something maliciously or destroy it by fire.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • The hiker used a torch to find the path in the dark. (referring to a flashlight)
  • In the ancient ceremony, they carried burning torches. (referring to a traditional flame torch)
  • The Olympic torch is carried across continents. (referring to a symbolic flame)
  • The jeweler used a small butane torch to solder the ring. (referring to a gas burner)

• Verb:

  • The rioters torched several abandoned buildings.
  • Vandals torched the old warehouse last night.

Advanced Usage

• To carry a torch for someone: To have strong, often unrequited, feelings of love or affection for someone over a long period.

  • He's been carrying a torch for his high school sweetheart for years.

• To hand/pass on the torch: To pass a responsibility, tradition, or knowledge to the next generation or successor.

  • The retiring CEO passed the torch to her protege.

Variants and Related Words

• Torchlight (n): The light produced by a torch.
  • The cave was illuminated by torchlight.
• Torch song (n): A sentimental popular song, typically about love, especially unrequited love. (This idiomatically relates to the phrase "carry a torch").
• Torchbearer (n): A person who leads or inspires others in a cause or movement; literally, one who carries a torch.

Synonyms

• Noun (light source): Flashlight (chiefly US), lamp, light, beacon.
• Noun (flame source): Blowlamp, blowtorch, burner.
• Verb: Burn, set fire to, ignite, incinerate.

Related Phrasal Verbs/Phrases

(The word "torch" itself does not commonly form phrasal verbs. Its verbal meaning is typically used alone or with the idioms listed above.)

Related Idioms

• The torch of liberty/freedom/knowledge: A metaphor for the principle or ideal that guides and inspires people.
  • The university sees itself as holding high the torch of knowledge.
• To put a torch to something: To set it on fire.
  • The rebels put a torch to the government outpost.

Noun

1. a burner that mixes air and gas to produce a very hot flame
2. a small portable battery-powered electric lamp
3. tall-stalked very woolly mullein with densely packed yellow flowers; ancient Greeks and Romans dipped the stalks in tallow for funeral torches
4. a light usually carried in the hand; consists of some flammable substance

Verb

1. burn maliciously, as by arson
   • The madman torched the barns