adj.
Pronunciation: ' la-s ə - ˌ r ā t
Function: transitive verb
Inflected Form: -at · ed ; -at · ing
Etymology: Middle English, from Latin laceratus, past participle of lacerare to tear; akin to Greek lakis tear
Date: 15th century
1 : to tear or rend roughly : wound jaggedly
2 : to cause sharp mental or emotional pain to : DISTRESS
– lac · er · a · tive \ - ˌ r ā -tiv \ adjective