2 entries found for torrid.
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torrid torrid zone

Main Entry: tor·rid
Pronunciation: tr-d, tär-
Function: adjective
Etymology: from Latin torridus "dried or burnt by heat, torrid," derived from torrre "to heat so as to dry up or burn" --related to TORRENT
: very hot and usually dry
- tor·rid·ly adverb
Word History The Latin verb torrre, meaning "to heat so as to dry up or burn," gave rise to two quite different English words. They are torrid and torrent. The Latin adjective torridus, meaning "dried or burnt by heat," was formed from torrre. It became our torrid. Another Latin adjective, torrens, meaning "scorching, burning," was also formed from torrre. It, however, gained a second sense of "flowing with great force and speed, rushing." This second sense led to the use of torrens as a noun for "a rushing or violent stream." This noun was borrowed into English as torrent. It came to refer not only to rushing water, but also to any kind of outpouring, such as of words, information, sounds, or feelings.