ClimateAugust 27, 2026
torrent
TOR-uhnt
Definition
A violent, rushing, and uncontrollable stream of liquid, such as water or mud.
Etymology
Derived from the Latin word 'torrens,' which refers to a boiling or rushing stream. It entered English via the French word 'torrent' in the 17th century.
In the news
The article uses the word to describe the destructive surge of water and mud that swept through Nepalese and Tibetan communities following a glacier collapse. It highlights the overwhelming and dangerous power of the disaster.
Catastrophic floods kill over 390 in Nepal and Tibet, with more than 1,400 missing
Read the full article ↗AP News