TEAR

I. noun Etymology: Middle English, from Old English tæhher, tēar; akin to Old High German zahar ~, Greek dakry Date: before 12th century 1. 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, a secretion of profuse ~s that overflow the eyelids and dampen the face, a transparent drop of fluid or hardened fluid matter (as resin), an act of weeping or grieving , ~less adjective II. intransitive verb Date: before 12th century to fill with ~s ; shed ~s , III. verb (tore; torn; ~ing) Etymology: Middle English teren, from Old English teran; akin to Old High German zeran to destroy, Greek derein to skin, Sanskrit dṛṇāti he bursts, ~s Date: before 12th century transitive verb 1. to separate parts of or pull apart by force ; rend , to wound by or as if by ~ing ; lacerate , to divide or disrupt by the pull of contrary forces , 3. to remove by force ; wrench , to remove as if by wrenching , to make or effect by or as if by ~ing , intransitive verb to separate on being pulled ; rend , 2. to move or act with violence, haste, or force , to smash or penetrate something with violent force , ~able adjective ~er noun Synonyms: see: ~ IV. noun Date: 1611 1. damage from being torn, the act of ~ing, 2. a ~ing pace ; hurry , spree , a run of unusual success