rend

To rend is to tear something into pieces, to wrench something violently or to cause great emotional pain.

(verb)

When you rip up a piece of fabric into multiple pieces, this is an example of a time when you rend the fabric.
When you yank money out of your friend's hands despite his protests, this is an example of a time when you rend the money.
When you leave your girlfriend broken hearted after you dump her, this is an example of a time when you rend her emotions.

See rend in Webster's New World College Dictionary

transitive verb rent, rending

to tear, pull, or rip with violence: with from, off, away, etc.
to tear, pull apart, rip up, or split with violence [a tree rent by lightning]: often used figuratively [a roar rends the air]
to tear (one's clothing) to show grief, anguish, etc.

Origin: ME renden < OE rendan, akin to OFris renda < IE base *rendh-, to tear apart > rind, Sans randhram, fissure, split

intransitive verb

to tear; burst; split apart

See rend in American Heritage Dictionary 4

verb rent rent (rĕnt) or rend·ed, rend·ing, rends

verb, transitive

To tear or split apart or into pieces violently. See Synonyms at tear¹.
To tear (one's garments or hair) in anguish or rage.
To tear away forcibly; wrest.
To pull, split, or divide as if by tearing: “Chip was rent between the impulse to laugh wildly and a bitterness that threatened hot tears” (Louis Auchincloss).
To pierce or disturb with sound: a scream rent the silence.
To cause pain or distress to: tales that rend the heart.

verb, intransitive

To become torn or split; come apart.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English renden

Origin: , from Old English rendan

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