[f. as prec. + -ING2.] That torments, in various senses of the verb.
1575. [implied in TORMENTINGLY].
1594. Shaks., Rich. III., I. iii. 226. While some tormenting Dreame Affrights thee.
1637. Prynne, Passages Star Chamb., in Harl. Misc. (1809), IV. 234. Let me be put to the tormentingest death they can devise.
1667. Milton, P. L., IV. 505. Sight hateful, sight tormenting!
1780. Mirror, No. 74, ¶ 9. Haunted with the most tormenting thoughts.
1856. Kane, Arct. Expl., II. viii. 87. The eruption, a tormenting and anomalous symptom.
Hence Tormentingly adv.; Tormentingness.
1575. Gascoigne, Dan Barthol. of Bathe, Wks. 1907, I. 105. He bounst and bet his head tormentingly.
1727. Bailey, vol. II., Tormentingness, tormenting Quality or Faculty.
1821. William Ray, in Vermont Republican & Amer. Jrnl., 17 Sept., 4/1.
| ’Tis true thy bed-bugs, flies and fleas, | |
| Musquetoes, wasps and warlike bees, | |
| Tormentingly assail us. |
1857. Chamb. Jrnl., vii. 397. Visits were tormentingly delayed.
