Excruciate (Verb)

Definition 1: To inflict severe physical or mental pain on; torture physically or mentally.[@more@]

Usage 1: Here is another instance of a participle that has all but become an adjective unto itself, abandoning the verb it derives from. The participle, "excruciating," as in "excruciating pain," is used far more often than the verb it is based on—unjustly, we think.

Suggested usage: Tired of hearing "torment" and "torture?" Here is an impressive alternative, "His initial lectures excruciated a lively stream of questions from his students throughout the remainder of the semester." Take this word home with you, too, "Although I actually swallowed several mouthfuls, every bite of Peg's experimental sushi soufflé excruciated my palate to the extent of its endurance."

Etymology: Latin excrucire "torture" from ex- intensifier + crucire "to crucify, torture," itself derived from crux (cruc-s) "cross." The origin of Latin crux "crucifix" is difficult to trace. The root seems to be related to Irish cruach "hill, pile" and English "(hay)rick," i.e. something rounded. "Excruciate" originally meant to put to the rack, to torture by stretching. (Our thanks for today's word is owed Thomas W. Horton, who has retired from all excruciation.)

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