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Flame vs Torch - What's the difference?

flame | torch |

As nouns the difference between flame and torch

is that flame is the visible part of fire while torch is a stick with a flame on one end, used chiefly as a light source; a similarly shaped implement with a replaceable supply of flammable material.

As verbs the difference between flame and torch

is that flame is to produce flames; to burn with a flame or blaze while torch is to set fire to, especially by use of a torch (flaming stick).

As a adjective flame

is of a brilliant reddish orange-gold colour, like that of a flame.

flame

English

(wikipedia flame)

Noun

(en noun)
  • The visible part of fire; a stream of burning vapour or gas, emitting light and heat.
  • *
  • *:Long after his cigar burnt bitter, he sat with eyes fixed on the blaze. When the flames at last began to flicker and subside, his lids fluttered, then drooped; but he had lost all reckoning of time when he opened them again to find Miss Erroll in furs and ball-gown kneeling on the hearth.
  • *{{quote-magazine, year=2013, month=July-August, author=(Henry Petroski)
    • , title= Geothermal Energy , volume=101, issue=4, magazine=(American Scientist) , passage=Energy has seldom been found where we need it when we want it. Ancient nomads, wishing to ward off the evening chill and enjoy a meal around a campfire, had to collect wood and then spend time and effort coaxing the heat of friction out from between sticks to kindle a flame .}}
  • A romantic partner or lover in a usually short-lived but passionate affair.
  • *(Thackeray)
  • (lb) Intentionally insulting criticism or remark meant to incite anger.
  • A brilliant reddish orange-gold fiery colour.
  • The contrasting light and dark figure seen in wood used for stringed instrument making; the curl.
  • :
  • Burning zeal, passion, imagination, excitement, or anger.
  • *(John Milton) (1608-1674)
  • *:in a flame of zeal severe
  • *(Alexander Pope) (1688-1744)
  • *:where flames refin'd in breasts seraphic glow
  • *(Coleridge)

    • Derived terms

    * aflame * flame-arc lamp * flame bait * flame carbon * flame cell * flame gun * flame nettle * flame of the forest * flame-out, flameout * flameproof * flame-retardant * flame spread * flame test * flame-thrower * flame tree * flame war * go up in flames * inflame * old flame * Taiwan flamecrest

    Related terms

    * flamboyant * flamingo * flammable * oriflamme * phlegm * phlogiston * phlogopite * phlox

    Verb

    (flam)
  • To produce flames; to burn with a flame or blaze.
  • * Shakespeare
    • The main blaze of it is past, but a small thing would make it flame again.
  • To burst forth like flame; to break out in violence of passion; to be kindled with zeal or ardour.
  • * Macaulay
    • He flamed with indignation.
  • (Internet, ambitransitive) To post a destructively critical or abusive message (to somebody).
    • I flamed him for spamming in my favourite newsgroup.

    Derived terms

    * flamer * flaming

    Related terms

    *

    Adjective

    (-)
  • Of a brilliant reddish orange-gold colour, like that of a flame.

    • See also

    *

    Anagrams

    * ----

    torch

    English

    (wikipedia torch)

    Noun

    (es)
  • A stick with a flame on one end, used chiefly as a light source; a similarly shaped implement with a replaceable supply of flammable material.
    • The mob of angry villagers carried torches and pitchforks to the vampire?s castle.
  • * 1984 June–July, Frances A. Harmon, The Olympic Games - For Good and All'', '' , page 18,
    • Eleven days before the start of the Games, a flaming torch is ignited by the sun in Olympia at the ruins of the ancient Temple of Zeus.
  • * 2007 , Lee Mylne, Frommer?s Portable Australia?s Great Barrier Reef , page 87,
    • Coconut palms with white-painted trunks surround the lagoon, which is lit by flaming torches at night.
  • * 2008 April 22-28, , page 48,
    • The degradation of the torch worldwide— it had to be snuffed out more than once to protect it from protesters—even provoked angry Chinese students to mobilise “150 strong and energetic runners” to defend it in Australia, raising the spectre of violence.
  • (UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa) A portable light source powered by electricity; a flashlight.
    • Ernst slipped and dropped his torch on the flagstones, shattering the bulb and plunging us into darkness.
  • * 2003 , Margo Daly, Anne Dehne, Rough Guide to Australia , page 385,
    • There are no streetlights — so you?ll need to bring a torch with you, or buy one from Joy?s Shop, if you want to venture out at night.
  • * 2006 , Marc Llewellyn, Lee Mylne, Frommer?s Australia from $60 a Day , page 365,
    • It's a good idea to bring a torch (flashlight) and maybe binoculars for wildlife spotting.
  • * 2010 , Nicholas Tailey, Simon O?Connor, Examination Medicine , Elsevier Australia, page 349,
    • Use your pocket torch and shine the light from the side to gauge the reaction to light on both sides.
  • (slang, US) An arsonist.

    • Synonyms

    * (stick with flame at one end) brand * (portable electric light) flashlight (US)

    Derived terms

    * blowtorch * carry a torch for * torchbearer * torchlight * torch runner * torch singer * torch song

    See also

    * handlamp * headlamp

    Verb

    (es)
  • To set fire to, especially by use of a torch (flaming stick).
    • Some hoodlums had torched a derelict automobile, which emitted a ghastly pall of thick, black smoke that filled the street.

    Synonyms

    * (set fire to) burn, firebomb, ignite, inflame, set ablaze