From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
torch
n 1: a light usually carried in the hand; consists of some
flammable substance
2: tall-stalked very woolly mullein with densely packed yellow
flowers; ancient Greeks and Romans dipped the stalks in
tallow for funeral torches [syn: common mullein, {great
mullein}, Aaron's rod, flannel mullein, woolly mullein,
torch, Verbascum thapsus]
3: a small portable battery-powered electric lamp [syn:
flashlight, torch]
4: a burner that mixes air and gas to produce a very hot flame
[syn: blowtorch, torch, blowlamp]
v 1: burn maliciously, as by arson; "The madman torched the
barns"
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
flashlight \flash"light`\ n.
a portable battery-powered electric lamp, small enough to be
held in one hand; -- it is most commonly cylindrical, but
other forms are also made. It is called in Britain a torch
Syn: torch.
[WordNet 1.5]
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
Torch \Torch\ (t[^o]rch), n. [OE. torche, F. torche a torch,
rag, wisp, pad; probably from a derivative of L. torquere,
tortum, to twist, because twisted like a rope; cf. F. torcher
to rub, wipe, It. topcia a torch, torciare to wrap, twist,
OF. torse a torse. Cf. Torture.]
A light or luminary formed of some combustible substance, as
of resinous wood; a large candle or flambeau, or a lamp
giving a large, flaring flame.
[1913 Webster]
They light the nuptial torch. --Milton.
[1913 Webster]
[1913 Webster]
Torch thistle. (Bot.) See under Thistle.
[1913 Webster]
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
Torchwort \Torch"wort`\, n. (Bot.)
The common mullein, the stalks of which, dipped in suet,
anciently served for torches. Called also torch, and
hig-taper.
[1913 Webster]