torch

Everyday

1. In the UK, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand, a torch is a small electric light you hold in your hand and that works with batteries; in the USA and Canada this is a flashlight. tree →
2. A torch is also a stick with a flame at the top, like the Olympic torch. tree →
3. To torch something means to set it on fire on purpose. tree →

In the lessons

In everyday life and safety lessons a torch is part of an emergency kit for power cuts, and useful when camping or walking in the dark; check the batteries. In science a torch shows that light travels in straight lines and makes shadows. In history and stories flaming torches lit castles and caves. Phrases: shine a torch, torchlight, the Olympic torch, carry the torch.

Examples

• Take a torch with you when we go camping. tree →
• Shine the torch under the bed to find my sock. tree →
• The power went off, so we used a torch. tree →
• In America, a torch is called a flashlight. tree →
• The runner carried the Olympic torch. tree →
• We made shadow puppets with a torch on the wall. tree →
• Check the torch batteries before the trip. tree →
• Explorers used burning torches to see in the cave. tree →
• Hecate appears as a gigantic woman, bearing a torch and a sword. tree →

Note

Plural: torches (add -es). Pupils in the USA and Canada say «flashlight» for the battery light; «torch» there usually means a flaming stick. Never shine a torch straight into someone's eyes.

In Jewish tradition

Here it is a flaming torch, a fire-pot-like sign of God's presence passing between the animal halves when God makes a covenant with Abram. Elsewhere a torch is a stick with fire, used by Gideon's men and by Samson tied to foxes' tails.

Interpretation. Tradition reads this as part of the Covenant between the Pieces, a promise of the land and a vision of Israel's future exiles. Gideon's torches hidden in pitchers are read as God giving victory by a small and strange means.

Examples

• And it came to pass, that, when the sun went down, and there was thick darkness, behold a smoking furnace, and a flaming torch that passed between these pieces. (Torah GEN.15.17, JPS 1917) tree →
• Out of his mouth go burning torches, and sparks of fire leap forth. (Writings JOB.41.11, JPS 1917) tree →
• And Samson went and caught three hundred foxes, and took torches, and turned tail to tail, and put a torch in the midst between every two tails. (Prophets JDG.15.4, JPS 1917) tree →
• And he divided the three hundred men into three companies, and he put into the hands of all of them horns, and empty pitchers, with torches within the pitchers. (Prophets JDG.7.16, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Plural: torches (add -es). Pupils in the USA and Canada say «flashlight» for the battery light; «torch» there usually means a flaming stick. Never shine a torch straight into someone's eyes.