Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Torrent \Tor"rent\, a. [See {Torrent}, n.]
   Rolling or rushing in a rapid stream. ``Waves of torrent
   fire.'' --Milton.

Torrent \Tor"rent\, n. [F., fr. L. torrens, -entis, fr. torrens
   burning, roaring, boiling, p. pr. of torrere to dry by heat,
   to burn. See {Torrid}.]
   1. A violent stream, as of water, lava, or the like; a stream
      suddenly raised and running rapidly, as down a precipice.

            The roaring torrent is deep and wide. --Longfellow.

   2. Fig.: A violent or rapid flow; a strong current; a flood;
      as, a torrent of vices; a torrent of eloquence.

            At length, Erasmus, that great injured name, . . .
            Stemmed the wild torrent of a barbarous age. --Pope.

Source : WordNet®

torrent
     n 1: a heavy rain [syn: {downpour}, {cloudburst}, {deluge}, {waterspout},
           {pelter}, {soaker}]
     2: a violently fast stream of water (or other liquid); "the
        houses were swept away in the torrent" [syn: {violent
        stream}]
     3: an overwhelming number or amount; "a flood of requests"; "a
        torrent of abuse" [syn: {flood}, {inundation}, {deluge}]