n. The act of inflicting severe pain as a punishment, as a means of persuasion, or in revenge; specifically, the act of inflicting such pain under the orders of a court of justice, royal commission, ecclesiastical organization, or other legal or self-constituted judge or authority, especially as a supposed means of extorting the truth from an accused person or as a commutative punishment (also called specifically judicial torture); the pain so inflicted.n. In general, the act, operation, or process of inflicting excruciating pain, physical or mental.n. Excruciating pain; extreme anguish of body or mind; agony; anguish; torment.n. Synonyms Agony, Anguish, Pang, etc. See agony and list under pang.To inflict severe pain upon; pain extremely; torment bodily or mentally.To punish with torture; put to the torture.To wrest from the natural position or state; especially, in a figurative sense, to distort; pervert; torment.To pull out; stretch; strain.