[tear] n [ME, fr. OE taehher, tear; akin to OHG zahar tear, Gk dakry] (bef. 12c) 1 a: a drop of clear saline fluid secreted by the lacrimal gland and diffused between the eye and eyelids to moisten the parts and facilitate their motion b pl: a secretion of profuse tears that overflow the eyelids and dampen the face
2: a transparent drop of fluid or hardened fluid matter (as resin) 3 pl: an act of weeping or grieving "broke into ~s" -- tear.less adj
[2]tear vi (bef. 12c): to fill with tears: shed tears "eyes ~ing in the November wind --Saul Bellow" [3]tear vb tore ; torn ; tear.ing [ME teren, fr. OE teran; akin to OHG zeran to destroy, Gk derein to skin, Skt drnati he bursts, tears] vt (bef. 12c) 1 a: to separate parts of or pull apart by force: rend b: to wound by or as if by tearing: lacerate "~ the skin"
2: to divide or disrupt by the pull of contrary forces "a mind torn with doubts" 3 a: to remove by force: wrench--often used with off "~ a cover off a box" b: to remove as if by wrenching "~ your thoughts away from the scene"
4: to make or effect by or as if by tearing "~ a hole in the wall" ~ vi 1: to separate on being pulled: rend "this cloth ~s easily"
2. a: to move or act with violence, haste, or force "went ~ing down the street" b: to smash or penetrate something with violent force "the bullet tore through his leg" -- tear.able adj -- tear.er n -- tear at : to cause anguish to: distress "her grief tore at his heart" -- tear into : to attack without restraint or caution -- tear it : to cause frustration, defeat, or an end to plans or hopes "that tears it" -- tear one's hair : to pull one's hair as an expression of grief, rage, frustration, desperation, or anxiety syn tear, rip, rend, split, cleave, rive mean to separate forcibly. tear implies pulling apart by force and leaving jagged edges "tear up the letter". rip implies a pulling apart in one rapid uninterrupted motion often along a line or joint "ripped the shirt on a nail". rend implies very violent or ruthless severing or sundering "an angry mob rent the prisoner's clothes". split implies a cutting or breaking apart in a continuous, straight, and usu. lengthwise direction or in the direction of grain or layers "split logs for firewood". cleave implies very forceful splitting or cutting with a blow "a bolt of lightning cleaved the giant oak". rive occurs most often in figurative use "a political party riven by conflict". [4]tear n (1611) 1 a: damage from being torn; esp: a hole or flaw made by tearing b: the act of tearing
2. a: a tearing pace: hurry b: spree "go on a ~" c: a run of unusual success "the team was on a ~"