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Glite Dictionary
🔥 Firelight 🔦 A flashlight
torchlight

torchlight

1 2.3
A small light you hold that uses batteries
  • noun
  • /ˈtɔrʧˌlaɪt/
  • UK
translation icon : linterna
  • As the power went out, she grabbed her torchlight to find her way.

Examples

  • The torchlight was flaring in front of me.

    The Zookeeper's Wife (2017)

  • He turns around quickly, darting the torchlight around into corners and squinting in the darkness, but he sees nothing.

    Fiction book (1994)

  • We certainly hope not, but history is our torchlight, and this storm will be very expensive.

    Blog text (18)

  • A tracker uses torchlight to study footprints.

    Fiction book (1996)

  • The torchlight cuts out.

    Fiction book (1990)

  • Use your torchlight, Rosie.

    Phua Chu Kang The Movie (2010)

  • But we have torchlights.

    Phua Chu Kang The Movie (2010)

  • Turn on the torchlights.

    Phua Chu Kang The Movie (2010)

  • "By morning I want the axles for the frame and counterweight to be fitted." "We's te work in torchlight?" asked the carpenter.

    Fiction book (2001)

  • I'm a little confused about the "demand for a torchlight MMO" thing, though. Who was demanding that? Their wives? Their wallets? I still see a lot of "I want you to ruin my single-player game with multiplayer!" comments, but the response to MMO...

    Blog text (18)

Synonyms

light
vstorchlight
∞ 1.0

A device like a lamp or bulb that produces light

is a small portable battery powered example within that broad class
lamp
vstorchlight
274 1.0

Something that gives light for a room or table

is narrower, meaning a small battery powered portable light
flashlight
vstorchlight
  • US
246 1.0

A small battery lamp that you hold to make light

is the regional term for the same battery powered handheld light
lantern
vstorchlight
113 1.0

A small portable light with a clear cover that you can carry or hang

refers to a small handheld battery light rather than a hung protective one
torch
vstorchlight
  • UK
44 1.9

A small handheld light that uses batteries

is the same idea but called differently in another regional variety
light source
vstorchlight
12 3.0

A thing like a lamp or candle that makes a place bright so you can see

is a specific portable battery powered example of such a light
electric light
vstorchlight
9 2.0

A light that gets power from wires, often from a bulb

is battery powered and portable rather than a fixed filament lamp
headlamp
vstorchlight
4 3.3

A small light you wear on your head to see with your hands free

refers to a handheld battery powered light rather than a worn one
penlight
vstorchlight
  • Specialized
4 4.1

A small light shaped like a pen used to look into eyes or small dark places

means a general portable battery light not limited to slim inspection use
electric lamp
vstorchlight
1 1.7

A light that uses electricity to shine

is a battery powered portable form rather than a mains connected device
flashlamp
vstorchlight
  • UK
3.1

A small lamp that uses batteries and gives light you can carry

is the common regional name used for that same portable lamp
lanthorn
vstorchlight
  • Archaic
9.9

A light you can carry with a cover that protects a flame or bulb

is the modern battery powered handheld version rather than the archaic form

How Bright

searchlight
15 3.9
speedlight
  • Specialized
1 6.7
torchlight
  • UK
1 2.3

Surface Forms

torchlight singular
torchlights plural
flashlights plural
flashlight singular

Morphology

torchlight = torch + light (transparent) = torch + light

Compound 'torch' + 'light' transparently denotes a portable light device; the modern electric sense is a straightforward extension of 'torch'.

Etymology

Torchlight now also means a small hand-held electric light because these new lights replaced old burning torches. In British English a 'torch' is the same as the American flashlight, so people use torchlight for battery lights.