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Glite Dictionary
torch race

torch race

7.2
A race in which runners pass a lit torch to one another
  • noun
  • /tɔrtʃ reɪs/
translation icon : carrera de antorchas
  • The concept of the Olympic relay is inspired by the torch race of antiquity.

Examples

  • The torch race was thrilling to watch.

  • The ancient Greeks celebrated the festival with a torch race through the city.

  • Each participant in the torch race had to run swiftly to keep the flame alive.

  • During the festival, they organized a torch race.

  • The students participated in a torch race during the school's annual sports day.

  • In the traditional torch race, runners pass the flame to each other until the finish line.

  • The villagers organized a torch race to celebrate the festival, where teams competed in a relay.

Synonyms

relay race
vstorch race
4 1.9

A race between teams where each runner runs part of the distance and passes a baton

features carrying a lit flame that is passed between runners during the handover

Surface Forms

torch race singular
torch races plural

Morphology

torch + race

The meaning 'a race in which a torch is carried and passed' is directly and transparently composed from 'torch' (a handheld flame) + 'race' (a competition), so the overall concept is predictable from the constituents. This noun-noun combination follows ordinary compounding patterns (and similar constructions exist cross-linguistically), so a B1 learner who knows both words would readily infer the MWE's meaning.

Etymology

The noun torch race comes from ancient Greek festivals where a runner carried a burning torch and passed it to the next runner in a race to keep the flame alive. That's why today torch race means 'a relay in which runners carry and pass a torch'.