[f. as prec. + -ING2.] That tortures; inflicting or causing torture; tormenting, excruciating.
1611. Sir W. Mure, Misc. Poems, ii. 46. He [Cupid] … fled away…; But, (woes me,) left behind his tort’ring toyle.
1669. A. Thorold, in St. Papers, Dom., 505. An eminent French Protestant … put to a torturing death.
1794. Mrs. Radcliffe, Myst. Udolpho, xxxiii. This state of torturing suspense.
1817. Shelley, Rev. Islam, X. viii. [He] bade the torturing wheel Be brought.
1867. Aug. J. E. Wilson, Vashti, xvii. Her past…, of which the bare memory was so torturing.
Hence Torturingly adv.
a. 1625. Fletcher & Massinger, Laws of Candy, III. ii. An host of furies Could not have baited me more torturingly.
1882. T. Hardy, Two on a Tower, ix. He was there a torturingly long time.
