transitive verb tore, torn, tearing tear′·ing

1. to pull apart or separate into pieces by force; rip or rend (cloth, paper, etc.)
2. to make or cause by tearing or puncturing to tear a hole in a dress
3. to wound by tearing; lacerate skin torn and bruised
4. to force apart or divide into factions; disrupt; split ranks torn by dissension
5. to divide with doubt, uncertainty, etc.; agitate; torment a mind torn between duty and desire
6. to remove by or as by tearing, pulling, etc.: with up, out, away, off, etc. to tear a plant up by its roots, to tear oneself away

Etymology: ME teren < OE teran, to rend, akin to Ger zehren, to destroy, consume < IE base *der-, to skin, split > drab, derma

intransitive verb

1. to be torn
2. to move violently or with speed; dash

noun

1. the act of tearing
2. the result of a tearing; torn place; rent
3. a rushing pace; great hurry
4. wear and tear
5. ☆ Slang a carousal; spree

noun

1. a drop of the salty fluid secreted by the lacrimal gland to lubricate the eyeball, kill bacteria, etc.: in humans, tears may flow for emotional reasons due to the tightening of muscles near the glands
2. anything resembling this, as a drop of transparent gum; tearlike mass
3. sorrow; grief

Etymology: ME tere < OE tēar, teagor, akin to Ger zähre < IE *daru, tear > OL dacrima (> L lacrima), Gr dakryon

intransitive verb