■ verb ( past and past participle rent ) literary
1》 tear to pieces.
↘ archaic wrench violently.
2》 cause great distress to.
Phrases
~ the air sound piercingly.
~ one's garments (or hair ) tear one's clothes (or pull one's hair out) as a sign of extreme grief of distress.
Origin
OE ~an , related to Mid. Low Ger. ~e .