torrent Copy link Outline I. A rapid stream1. torrens, ntis, m. (strictly part. with fluvius understood2. by circuml.II. Heavy fall of rain, etc.III. Fig. • torrent: I. A rapid stream: 1. torrens, ntis, m. (strictly part. with fluvius understood: whence we find such exprr. as torrentes fluvii, Varr. R. R. 1, 12, fin.; torrentia flumina, Virg. Aen. 7, 52): the discourse rushes on like a t., fertur quasi t. oratio, Cic. Fin. 2, 1, 3: Virg. Prov.: to stem the t. (in rowing): dirigere brachia contra t., Jnv. 4, 90. 2. by circuml.: *flumen rapidum; rapido decurrens flumine rivus, amnis. II. Heavy fall of rain, etc.: Phr.: t.s of rain fall, imber torrentis modo effunditur, Curt. 8, 4, ad init.: I came to Capua amid t.s of rain, maximo imbri Capuam veni, Cic. Fam. 7, 20: cf. Virg. G. 1, 333, densissimus imber: t.s of blood, multus, plurimus sanguis, Liv. 2, 64, med. (pugnatum ingenti caede utrimque, plurimo sanguine): t.s of tears, multae lacrimae, Caes. B. G. 1, 20. III. Fig.: of that which rushes on vehemently: torrens: e. g. verborum: Quint. 10, 7, 23. Nearly in same sense, flumen: v. flood.