TEAR

n. 1 a drop of clear salty liquid secreted by glands, that serves to moisten and wash the eye and is shed from it in grief or other strong emotions. 2 a tearlike thing; a drop. øin tears crying; shedding tears. tear-drop a single tear. tear-duct a drain for carrying tears to the eye or from the eye to the nose. tear-gas gas that disables by causing severe irritation to the eyes. tear-jerker colloq. a story, film, etc., calculated to evoke sadness or sympathy. without tears presented so as to be learned or done easily. øøtearlike adj. [OE tear]