a. Obs. rare. [f. L. torment-um TORMENT + -OUS: cf. OF. tormentos.] Of tormenting nature; torturing. Hence † Tormentously adv.
1583. Stocker, Civ. Warres Lowe C., II. 47. His body being trysed vp into the ayre with a tormentous [printed tormentrous] Engine, they bynd to his feete instruments of Yron.
1657. Thornley, trans. Longus’ Daphnis & Chloe, 195. Astylus was not to learn that Love was a tormentous fire.
1669. Address to Hopeful Young Gentry England, 87. Why so tormentously [do they] rend their weary throats?
So † Tormentuous a. [ad. late L. tormentuōsus.]
1597. J. Payne, Royal Exch., 44. So ys yt a moste bitter and tormentuouse estate to such as love not to gethers.
1860. Mayne, Expos. Lex., Tormentuosus, having or full of racking pains: tormentuous.
