The light of a torch; illumination by a torch or torches.
c. 1425. Brut, ccxliii. 367. He was brouȝt to London on an hors beere, with myche torche lyghte.
1470–85. Malory, Arthur, XVII. ii. 69. The mayde … armed hym by torche lyght.
1555. Coventry Leet Bk., 813. Euery of them to haue a man weytinge vppon hym with torche-light.
1619. Middleton, Love & Antiq., Wks. (Bullen), VII. 329. His lordship returns by torchlight to his own house.
1726. Pope, Odyss., XVIII. 401. The shining baldness of his head survey, It aids our torch-light.
1855. Macaulay, Hist. Eng., xvi. III. 629. He made a final inspection of his forces by torchlight.
fig. 1847. Whittier, Lost Statesman, 25. Yet firmer hands shall Freedom’s torchlights trim.
b. The time when torches are lighted; dusk.
a. 1656. Bp. Hall, Hard Meas., Rem. Wks. (1660), 47. It now grew to be Torch-light.
1798. Soph. Lee, Canterb. T., Yng. Lady’s T., II. 323. I faintly recollect, that it was torch-light.
c. attrib. Performed or carried on by torch-light.
1876. Bancroft, Hist. U.S., III. xix. 521. In the evening, a torch-light procession.
1884. West. Morn. News, 15 Sept., 5/4. Lord Fife gave a torchlight ball at Mar Lodge.
