First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1tear
noun \ˈtir\
Definition of TEAR
1
2
: a transparent drop of fluid or hardened fluid matter (as resin)
3
plural : an act of weeping or grieving <broke into tears>
— tear·less adjective
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Examples of TEAR
- And thus he would die—out in the cold world, with no shelter over his homeless head. … And thus SHE would see him when she looked out upon the glad morning, and oh! would she drop one little tear upon his poor, lifeless form, would she heave one little sigh to see a bright young life so rudely blighted, so untimely cut down? —Mark Twain, Tom Sawyer, 1876
Origin of TEAR
Middle English, from Old English tæhher, tēar; akin to Old High German zahar tear, Greek dakry
2tear
intransitive verb \ˈtir\
Definition of TEAR
Origin of TEAR
(see 1tear)
First Known Use: before 12th century
Rhymes with TEAR
air, Ayr, bare, bear, Blair, blare, care, chair, chare, dare, Dare, e'er, ere, err, eyre, fair, fare, flair, flare, glair, glare, hair, hare, Herr, heir, lair, mare, ne'er, pair, pare, pear, prayer, rare, rear, scare, share, snare, spare, square, stair, stare, swear, tare, their, there, vair, ware, wear, weir, where, yare
3tear
verb \ˈter\
tore \ˈtȯr\ torn \ˈtȯrn\ tear·ing
Definition of TEAR
transitive verb
1
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 <tear a cover off a box> b : to remove as if by wrenching <tear your thoughts away from the scene>
4
: to make (a hole or opening) by or as if by pulling apart by force <tear a hole in the wall>
intransitive verb
1
: to separate on being pulled : rend <this cloth tears easily>
2
a : to move or act with violence, haste, or force <went tearing down the street> b : to smash or penetrate something with violent force <the bullet tore through his leg>
— tear·able \ˈter-ə-bəl\ adjective
— tear·er noun
— 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; also : to feel or display such an emotion
Origin of TEAR
Middle English teren, from Old English teran; akin to Old High German zeran to destroy, Greek derein to skin, Sanskrit dṛṇāti he bursts, tears
First Known Use: before 12th century
Synonym Discussion of TEAR
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 usually 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>.
4tear
noun \ˈter\
Definition of TEAR
1
2
a : a hurried and violent rush : a tearing pace <the train went by at a tear> b : spree <got paid and went on a tear> c : a run of unusual success <the team was on a tear>
Origin of TEAR
(see 3tear)
First Known Use: 1611
TEAR Defined for Kids
1tear
noun \ˈtir\
Definition of TEAR for Kids
1
: a drop of the salty liquid that moistens the eyes and the inner eyelids and that flows from the eyes when someone is crying
2
tears plural : an act of crying <I burst into tears.>
2tear
verb \ˈter\
tore \ˈtȯr\torn \ˈtȯrn\tear·ing
Definition of TEAR for Kids
1
: to pull into two or more pieces by force <This paper is easy to tear.>
2
: to wound or injure by or as if by tearing : lacerate <Use an ointment where you tore the skin.>
3
: to remove by force <I tore the notice from the wall.>
4
: to move powerfully or swiftly <A car tore up the street.>
— tear down
: to knock down and break into pieces <The old school was torn down.>
3tear
noun \ˈter\
Definition of TEAR for Kids
: damage from being torn <This blanket has a tear in it.>
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