
好词典

源自拉丁语 'tormentum'(酷刑器械),经古法语 'tormenter' 进入英语,原指中世纪的刑具。
❶ 指身体或精神上的极度痛苦或折磨,常用来描述长期持续的煎熬状态。
“The prisoner endured years of torment in the dark cell.”
(囚犯在黑暗的牢房里忍受了多年的折磨。)
“Her face showed the torment of losing a child.”
(她的脸上流露出失去孩子的痛苦。)
❶ 故意使某人遭受痛苦或困扰,可能是身体上的伤害或精神上的持续骚扰。
“The bully tormented the smaller kids every day.”
(霸凌者每天欺负较小的孩子。)
“She was tormented by guilt after the accident.”
(事故发生后,她被内疚感折磨。)
torment of Tantalus — 源自希腊神话的典故,形容看得见却永远得不到的痛苦处境。
“Waiting for the delayed flight felt like the torment of Tantalus.”
(等待延误的航班就像坦塔罗斯的折磨。)