~ 1 [ tɛ: ]
■ verb ( past tore ; past participle torn )
1》 pull or rip apart or to pieces.
↘make a hole or split in.
↘damage (a muscle or ligament) by overstretching it.
↘( ~ something down ) demolish something.
2》 ( ~ something apart ) destroy something, especially good relations between people.
↘( be torn ) be in a state of uncertainty between two conflicting options or parties.
3》 ( ~ oneself away ) [usu. with negative ] leave despite a strong desire to stay.
4》 informal move very quickly and in an uncontrolled manner.
5》 ( ~ into ) attack verbally.
■ noun a hole or split caused by ~ing.
Phrases
~ one's hair out informal feel extreme desperation.
~ someone off a strip (or ~ a strip off someone ) Brit. informal rebuke someone angrily.
that's torn it Brit. informal expressing dismay when something has happened to disrupt someone's plans.
Derivatives
~able adjective
~er noun
Origin
OE teran , of Gmc origin.
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~ 2 [ tɪə ]
■ noun a drop of clear salty liquid secreted from glands in a person's eye when they are crying or when the eye is irritated.
Phrases
in ~s crying.
Derivatives
~y adjective
Origin
OE tēar , of Gmc origin.