Meaning

• A catapult or other kind of war-engine.

• Torture, originally as inflicted by an instrument of torture.

• Any extreme pain, anguish or misery, either physical or mental.

  "He was bitter from the torments of the divorce system."

Meaning

• To cause severe suffering to (stronger than to vex but weaker than to torture.)

  "The child tormented the flies by pulling their wings off."