Torch

From Old French torche, ultimately from Latin torqueÅ ("twist").

Full definition of torch

(plural torches)

A stick with a flame on one end, used chiefly as a light source; a similarly shaped implement with a replaceable supply of flammable material.The mob of angry villagers carried torches and pitchforks to the vampireâ€²s castle.

1984 Juneâ€“July, Frances A. Harmon, The Olympic Games - For Good and All, Johnson Publishing Company, page 18,Eleven days before the start of the Games, a flaming torch is ignited by the sun in Olympia at the ruins of the ancient Temple of Zeus.
2007, Lee Mylne, Frommerâ€²s Portable Australiaâ€²s Great Barrier Reef, page 87,Coconut palms with white-painted trunks surround the lagoon, which is lit by flaming torches at night.
2008 April 22-28, Outlook (magazine), page 48,The degradation of the torch worldwideâ€” it had to be snuffed out more than once to protect it from protestersâ€”even provoked angry Chinese students to mobilise â€œ150 strong and energetic runnersâ€ to defend it in Australia, raising the spectre of violence.

(UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa) A portable light source powered by electricity; a flashlight.Ernst slipped and dropped his torch on the flagstones, shattering the bulb and plunging us into darkness.

2003, Margo Daly, Anne Dehne, Rough Guide to Australia, page 385,There are no streetlights â€” so youâ€²ll need to bring a torch with you, or buy one from Joyâ€²s Shop, if you want to venture out at night.
2006, Marc Llewellyn, Lee Mylne, Frommerâ€²s Australia from $60 a Day, page 365,It's a good idea to bring a torch (flashlight) and maybe binoculars for wildlife spotting.
2010, Nicholas Tailey, Simon Oâ€²Connor, Examination Medicine, Elsevier Australia, page 349,Use your pocket torch and shine the light from the side to gauge the reaction to light on both sides.

To set fire to, especially by use of a torch (flaming stick).Some hoodlums had torched a derelict automobile, which emitted a ghastly pall of thick, black smoke that filled the street.