Causing severe physical or mental pain to someone, either deliberately or as a result of distressing circumstances.
From Latin 'torquere' (to twist, turn). Medieval Latin 'tortura' meant the twisting of limbs as punishment. The word entered English through Old French in the 1300s-1400s.
Torture is actually illegal under international law since 1948 (UN Convention), yet it continues secretly—the word itself is so loaded that governments started using terms like 'enhanced interrogation' instead. Word choice becomes a tool for hiding harm.
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