torrion

English

Alternative forms

• turrion [16th C.]

Etymology

From the obsolete French torrion, from the Italian torrione (“a large tower”, “a keep”), the augmentative form of torre (“tower”).

Pronunciation

• obsolete; stressed on the first syllable

Noun

torrion (plural torrions)

1. (obsolete, in Italy) A large tower.
   • 1652, Alessandro Giraffi, translated by James Howell, An exact Historie of the late Revolutions in Naples, part II, page 144:

     Hereupon there went off from the Torrion of Carmine, twenty six shot of Ordinance.

   • ibidem, page 191:

     That the said Torrion or Bastion should be put into his hands.

Translations

in Italy: a large tower

References

• NED X, part i (Ti–U; 1st ed., 1926), § 1 (Ti–Tz), page 166/1–2, “†To·rrion”
• OED (2nd ed., 1989), “†ˈtorrion”