In torment, as I survey columnar distortion (7)
I believe the answer is:
entasis
'columnar distortion' is the definition.
The definition suggests a singular noun which matches the answer.
'in torment as i survey' is the wordplay.
'in' says the answer is hidden in the clue.
'ENTASIS' can be found hidden inside 'torment as i survey'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for entasis that I've seen before include "Curvature of column" , "slight bulge in columns" , "Shape of columns" , "Shaping of a column for optical effect" , "swelling in the middle" .)