Shear definition
To remove (fleece or hair) by cutting or clipping.
verb
To cut with or as if with shears.
Shearing a hedge.
verb
To remove the hair or fleece from.
verb
To divest or deprive as if by cutting.
The prisoners were shorn of their dignity.
verb
To use a cutting tool such as shears.
verb
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To shear is to cut something or have something cut off.
When you shave a sheep, this is an example of shear.
An example of shear is when you have your hair cut off.
verb
(physics) To become deformed by shear force.
verb
The act, process, or result of shearing, especially when used to indicate a sheep's age.
A two-shear ram.
noun
Something cut off by shearing.
noun
An apparatus used to lift heavy weights, consisting of two or more spars joined at the top and spread at the base, the tackle being suspended from the top.
noun
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A pair of scissors.
noun
Any of various implements or machines that cut with a scissorlike action.
noun
To cut with shears or a similar sharp-edged instrument.
verb
To tear or wrench (off) by shearing stress.
verb
To move through as if cutting.
verb
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(dial.) To reap with a sickle.
verb
To remove (the hair, wool, etc.) by cutting or clipping.
verb
To cut or clip the hair, wool, etc. from.
verb
To come apart or break under the action of shearing stress.
verb
To move by or as if by cutting.
verb
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To use a cutting tool, as shears, in trimming or cutting wool, shrubbery, metal, etc.
verb
(dial.) To use a sickle in reaping.
verb
A machine used in cutting metal, esp. sheet metal.
noun
The action, process, or result of shearing; specif., the shearing of wool from an animal.
A sheep of three shears.
noun
A single blade of a pair of shears.
noun
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Any strain or distortion in shape resulting from the action of shearing stress.
noun
A force, movement or pressure applied to an object perpendicular to a given axis, with greater value on one side of the axis than the other.
To cut, originally with a sword or other bladed weapon, now usually with shears, or as if using shears.
verb
The act of shearing, or something removed by shearing.
noun
(geology) The response of a rock to deformation usually by compressive stress, resulting in particular textures.
noun
To strip or divest (someone) of a power, right, etc.
verb
To move or proceed by or as if by cutting.
Shear through the wheat.
verb
Origin of shear
-
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
- From Middle English sheren, from Old English scieran, from Proto-Germanic *skeranÄ…, from Proto-Indo-European *(s)ker- (“to cut"). Cognate with West Frisian skeare, Low German scheren, Dutch scheren, German scheren, Danish skære, Norwegian skjære, Swedish skära; and (from Indo-European) with Ancient Greek κείρω (keirō, “I cut off"), Latin caro (“flesh"), Albanian harr (“to cut, to mow"), Lithuanian skìrti (“separate"), Welsh ysgar (“separate"). See also sharp.
From Wiktionary