Tor″rent (?), n. [F., fr. L. torrens, -entis, fr. torrens burning, roaring, boiling, p. pr. of torrere to dry by heat, to burn. See Torrid.] 1. 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.
2. 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.