RIVE

verb (~d; ~n; also ~d; riving) Etymology: Middle English, from Old Norse rīfa; akin to Greek ereipein to tear down Date: 14th century transitive verb 1. to wrench open or tear apart or to pieces ; rend , to split with force or violence , 2. to divide into pieces ; shatter , fracture , intransitive verb to become split ; crack , see: tear