v. (past and past part. rent) archaic or rhet.
1. tr. (foll. by off, from, away, etc.; also absol.) tear or wrench forcibly.
2 tr. & intr. split or divide in pieces or into factions (a country rent by civil war).
3 tr. cause emotional pain to (the heart etc.).
Phrases and idioms:
rend the air sound piercingly. rend one's garments (or hair) display extreme grief or rage.
Etymology: OE rendan, rel. to MLG rende