English Dictionary

torture

/ˈtɔɹt͡ʃɚ/

noun

The intentional causing of somebody's experiencing agony. / (chiefly literary) The "suffering of the heart" imposed by one on another, as in personal relationships.

The torture inflicted on prisoners was inhumane.

意味（1）

The intentional causing of somebody's experiencing agony.

If Cheney calls it enhanced interrogation, he argues, this still doesn’t change the meaning of the word torture, which Cheney and the public know perfectly well. But cognitive linguists like Lakoff (1996) remind us that the public can be manipulated into believing that torture is “merely” an enhanced interrogation technique and thus does not protest.

意味（2）

(chiefly literary) The "suffering of the heart" imposed by one on another, as in personal relationships.

Every time she says 'goodbye' it is torture!

意味（3）

(colloquial) (often as "absolute torture") Stage fright; severe embarrassment.