tear

Etymology

Definitions

1. 1

   To rend (a solid material) by holding or restraining in two places and pulling apart,…

   To rend (a solid material) by holding or restraining in two places and pulling apart, whether intentionally or not; to destroy or separate.

   • He tore his coat on the nail.
2. 2

   To injure as if by pulling apart.

   • He tore some muscles in a weight-lifting accident.
3. 3

   To destroy or reduce abstract unity or coherence, such as social, political or emotional.

   • He was torn by conflicting emotions.
4. ›+ 14 more definitionsshow fewer

   1. 4

      To make (an opening) with force or energy.

      • A piece of debris tore a tiny straight channel through the satellite.
      • His boss will tear him a new one when he finds out.
      • The artillery tore a gap in the line.
   2. 5

      To remove by tearing, or with sudden great force.

      • Tear the coupon out of the newspaper.
      • [A] surge of muddy water tore him free from his sandy nook and tumbled him down the gully.
   3. 6

      To demolish.

      • The slums were torn down to make way for the new development.
   4. 7

      To become torn, especially accidentally.

      • My dress has torn.
   5. 8

      To move or act with great speed, energy, or violence.

      • He went tearing down the hill at 90 miles per hour.
      • The tornado lingered, tearing through town, leaving nothing upright.
      • He tore into the backlog of complaints.
   6. 9

      To smash or enter something with great force.

      • The chain shot tore into the approaching line of infantry.
   7. 10

      To be interrupted midway through.

      • torn write
   8. 11

      A hole or break caused by tearing.

      • A small tear is easy to mend, if it is on the seam.
   9. 12

      A rampage.

      • to go on a tear
   10. 13

       A drop of clear, salty liquid produced from the eyes by crying or irritation.

       • Big tears streamed from Lisa's eyes, rolling down her cheeks.
       • Ryan wiped the tear from the paper he was crying on.
   11. 14

       Something in the form of a transparent drop of fluid matter

       Something in the form of a transparent drop of fluid matter; also, a solid, transparent, tear-shaped drop, as of some balsams or resins.

       • Let Araby extol her happy coast, / Her fragrant flowers, her trees with precious tears.
   12. 15

       A partially vitrified bit of clay in glass.

   13. 16

       That which causes or accompanies tears

       That which causes or accompanies tears; a lament; a dirge.

       • Without meed of some melodious tear. Begin then, Sisters of the sacred well [...]
   14. 17

       To produce tears.

       • Her eyes began to tear in the harsh wind.

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