"tear" Definition

Definitions for the word "tear" from multiple English dictionaries.

1. v.
(past tore; past part. Torn) 1 (often foll. By up) pull apart or to pieces with some force (tore up the letter). 2 a make a hole or rent in this way; undergo this (have torn my coat; curtain tore). B make (a hole or rent). 3 (foll. By away, off, at, etc.) Pull violently (tore off the cover; tore down the notice). 4 violently disrupt or divide (torn by guilt). 5 colloq. Go hurriedly (tore across the road). n. 1 hole etc. Caused by tearing. 2 torn part of cloth etc. be torn between have difficulty in choosing between. Tear apart 1 search (a place) exhaustively. 2 criticize forcefully. 3 destroy; divide utterly; distress greatly. Tear one''s hair out colloq. Behave with extreme desperation. Tear into colloq. 1 severely reprimand. 2 start (an activity) vigorously. Tear oneself away leave reluctantly. Tear to shreds colloq. Refute or criticize thoroughly. That''s torn it colloq. That has spoiled things etc. [old english]
Source: Oxford English Dictionary, 1884
2. n.
1 drop of clear salty liquid secreted by glands from the eye, and shed esp. In grief. 2 tearlike thing; drop. in tears crying. [old english]
Source: Oxford English Dictionary, 1884

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Additional Info
This page provides a list of definitions and meanings for "tear" from various historical English dictionaries. By displaying multiple definitions, you can compare and contrast different meanings and nuances of a word, phrase, or slang. You can also see the changes in meaning of "tear" over time by viewing the definitions from different dictionaries published at different times in history. The page also includes other information to help users expand their vocabulary and understand the context of the word.

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