Like many individuals in the gaming world, I have been obsessed with Elden Ring, the new FromSoftware game. In the game, you get a spectral steed (it’s kind of a horned horse that reminds me of Ashitaka’s red elk in Princess Mononoke) named Torrent. But do you know the definition of a “torrent”?
Merriam-Webster has several definitions for “torrent.” A torrent can be a violent or forceful flow of fluid (especially a rushing stream of water); a heavy downpour of rain; a tumultuous outpouring (rush); a channel of a mountain stream.
In computing, a “torrent” is a protocol that is used to distribute a large computer file that has been segmented in small pieces between a large number of peer-to-peer users; a file or set of files transferred with this protocol. (If you’ve heard of music or video pirating, those are often torrents.)
“Torrent” can also be used as a verb to represent such terms.
Lastly, the adjective “torrential” also comes from the word “torrent.”
In Elden Ring, Torrent is a very fast beast (who can even perform a double jump and be shot up into the air via wind vortexes), so it’s no wonder he was named as such.