Reverse Dictionary: TORTURE

ADJECTIVES
► BUTCHERLY relating to physical torture → a1568 obs.
► CRUCIATE tortured, tormented → 1504 obs.
► CRUCIATORY torturing, tormenting → 1660 obs.
► RACKING torturing causing intense pain, physical or mental → 1667
► YBRAD tortured as with fire → a1310 obs.

NOUNS
► BUTCHERY a place of torture or torment → c1540 obs.
► CARNIFICE butchery, murder, torture → 1657 obs.
► CASCHIELAWIS an instrument of torture, said to have been invented by the ‘Master of Orkney’ in 1596; its action appears to have been forcibly to draw together the body and limbs of the victim, and hold him in this cramped position → 1596 Sc. obs.
► CRUCIATION torture, torment → 1496 obs.
► CRUCIFIXION torture, severe pain or anguish → 1648 obs.
► GEHENNA a place of torture; a prison → 1594
► GEHENNE judicial torture → 1646 obs.
► HUMMING BIRD a type of torture using electricity → L19 US prison sl.
► IMPALATION the torture or punishment of impaling → 1744 obs.
► MARTYRDOM torment, torture; extreme pain or suffering → c1386
► MARTYRE torment, torture; extreme pain or suffering → c1330 obs.
► PAINS judicial torture → 1533 obs.
► QUALE-HOUSE a house of torture → c1205 obs.
► SCAVENGER’S DAUGHTER an instrument of torture, consisting of a broad iron hoop, which was locked around the prisoner’s body, compressing it unnaturally to such an extent that the victim was effectively squeezed to death → M16
► SCOLD’S BRIDLE an instrument of punishment used for scolding women; it was used as a form of torture and public humiliation; it was an iron muzzle in an iron framework that enclosed the head; a bridle-bit (or curb-plate), about 2 inches long and 1 inch broad, projected into the mouth and pressed down on top of the tongue; it was first recorded in 1567; sometimes called a witch’s bridle, a brank’s bridle, or branks → 1899 Sc.
► SKEFFINGTON’S DAUGHTER an instrument of torture, consisting of a broad iron hoop, which was locked around the prisoner’s body, compressing it unnaturally to such an extent that the victim was effectively squeezed to death → M16
► SKINNERS mental torture → L19 sl.
► STRAPPADO a form of torture: the culprit, his legs tied, was hoisted by a rope fastened to his arms behind his back, and was given a rapid descent stopped so suddenly that the jerk often dislocated the joints of arms and shoulders; this was repeated once or twice → 1587 sl.
► TANACLES instruments of torture, like pincers → 1598 obs.
► TINTREGH torment, torture → c893 obs.
► TYMPANISM a form of torture, used by Jews, by beating one to death with cudgels or drumsticks → 1661 obs.

NOUNS – PERSON
► BUTCHER an executioner; a person who inflicts capital punishment or torture  → 1483 obs.
► GALLOWS AND WHEEL CUSTOMER a candidate for hanging or torture → 1750 US
► RACKER one who operates the ‘rack’; a torturer → 1820

VERBS
► BETHROW to twist about, to torture → 1393 obs.
► BUTCHER to torment or inflict torture upon a person → 1884 obs.
► CRUCIATE to afflict with grievous pain or distress; to torture, to torment → 1532 arch.
► CRUELIZE to treat cruelly or brutally, to torture → 1847 Amer. dial.
► MARTYR to inflict grievous suffering or pain upon; to torment, to torture → c1240
► PAIN to inflict a penalty or punishment upon; to punish; to torture by way of punishment; to fine → c1350 obs.
► PERCRUCIATE to inflict intense torment upon; to torture → 1656
► RACK to inflict mental pain or torture on a person; to torture, to distract the mind, soul, etc. → 1601
► THROW to twist; to wreath, to wind; to wrench, to sprain; to wring the neck; to turn a key; to torture, esp. by twisting a cord round the head → 1641 Sc. & Eng. dial.
► TINTREGHE to torment, to torture → c1175 obs.