βασανιστήριο
vasanistirio
The English word "torture" is translated into Greek as βασανιστήριο (vasanistirio).
The noun βασανιστήριο refers to the intentional causing of someone's agony. The related verb βασανίζω means to intentionally inflict unnecessary pain or suffering on helpless victims.
Meaning: intentional causing of somebody's experiencing agony (noun)
Which one should you use?
Βασανισμός is a formal term referring to the concept of torture, both physical and psychological.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb βασανίζω can be used in the passive voice as βασανίζεται to indicate that someone is being tortured.
How do you pronounce it?
vasanistirio
Did you know?
- The root of βασανιστήριο comes from the Ancient Greek word for a 'touchstone', a stone used to test the purity of precious metals.
- In modern Greek, βασανιστήριο is frequently used as a hyperbolic metaphor to describe an incredibly boring task or a very long wait.
- The verb βασανίζω can also be used in a figurative sense to describe the feeling of intense longing or romantic heartache.
Examples in context
- Οι αιχμάλωτοι υπέστησαν βασανισμό.The prisoners underwent torture.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries βασανιστήριο, CC BY-SA 4.0.
