βασανιστήριο

From Ancient Greek βασανιστήριο (basanistḗrio), equivalent to βασανίζω (vasanízo, “to torture”) +‎ -τήριο (-tírio).

• IPA^(key): /vasaniˈstiɾio/
• Hyphenation: βα‧σα‧νι‧στή‧ρι‧ο

βασανιστήριο • (vasanistírio) n (plural βασανιστήρια)

1. torture (intentional causing of somebody's experiencing agony)

   Η μαστίγωση είναι γνωστό βασανιστήριο. ― I mastígosi eínai gnostó vasanistírio. ― Whipping is a known (method of) torture.

2. (figuratively, proscribed) torture, torment, anguish, suffering (extreme mental or emotional pain)

   Πέρασα πολλά βασανιστήρια στη ζωή μου. ― Pérasa pollá vasanistíria sti zoḯ mou. ― I went through many torments in my life.

The Babiniotis dictionary proscribes sense 2 but includes it anyway. Figurative senses are more correctly denoted by βάσανο (vásano).

• (figurative senses): βάσανο n (vásano), ταλαιπωρία f (talaiporía), δοκιμασία f (dokimasía)

• βασανιστής n (vasanistís, “torturer, tormentor”)
• βασανίστρια f (vasanístria, “tormentor”)
• βασανιστικός (vasanistikós, “brutal, agonising”)
• βάσανος f (vásanos, “examination, investigation”)