rare. [ad. L. torv-us grim, frowning: cf. obs. F. torve (Cotgr.), Sp., Pg., It. torvo.] Stern in aspect; grim, fierce-looking.
1650. Bulwer, Anthropomet., 72. [They] become thereby dim-sighted, and of a torve or crooked aspect.
a. 1661. Fuller, Worthies, Linc. (1662), II. 153. He [the devil] is supposed to have overlook’d this Church … with a torve and tetrick countenance, as maligning mens costly devotion.
1862. J. Brown, Horæ Subs., Ser. IV. Our Dogs, 144. Toby made straight at him with a roar too, and an eye more torve than Scrymgeour’s.
1894. Blackmore, Perlycross, 405. A man,… torve of aspect.
So Torvid (also 7 erron. -ed) [ad. late L. torvidus], Torvous adjs., in same sense; Torvity [ad. L. torvitās], grimness, fierceness of aspect.
a. 1639. Webster, Appius & Virg., V. iii. But yesterday his breath Aw’d Rome, and his least *torved frown was death.
1656. Blount, Glossogr., Torvid, cruel and spightful in looks, stern, grim, sowre, unpleasant.
1706. E. Ward, Hud. Rediv., I. XII. 19. Whose torvid Aspect made him show so Like some revengeful Furioso.
1866. J. B. Rose, trans. Ovid’s Met., iv. 110. With torvid brow Saturnia gazed upon Ixion.
1620. Feltham, Resolves, lxxxix. 290. To shew us the inticing spots of this Panther, concealing the *torvitie of her countenance.
1787. Minor, IV. i. 204. This … increased my governor’s natural torvity.
1825. W. Tennant, in Conolly, Mem., ii. (1861), 75. Terrible John, with his countenance of Sabine torvity.
1694. R. Burthogge, Reason & Nat. Spir., 162. Some Ludicrous, some *Torvous.
1713. Derham, Phys.-Theol., IV. xiv. 242. It is natural for many Quadrupeds, Birds and Serpents … to put on a torvous angry Aspect, when in Danger.
1833. Palmerston, Lett., 7 May, in Bulwer, Life, II. x. 160. Selton looks torvous when I meet him, that I have not appointed Molyneux.
