v. & n.
--v. (past sheared, archaic except Austral. & NZ shore; past part. shorn or sheared)
1. tr. cut with scissors or shears etc.
2 tr. remove or take off by cutting.
3 tr. clip the wool off (a sheep etc.).
4 tr. (foll. by of) a strip bare. b deprive.
5 tr. & intr. (often foll. by off) distort or be distorted, or break, from a structural strain.
--n.
1. Mech. & Geol. a strain produced by pressure in the structure of a substance, when its layers are laterally shifted in relation to each other.
2 (in pl.) (also pair of shears sing.) a large clipping or cutting instrument shaped like scissors for use in gardens etc.
Derivatives:
shearer n.
Etymology: OE sceran f. Gmc