Webster's English Dictionary

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tear

1. tear \'ti(*)r\ \'ti(y)r-e-\ n [ME, fr. OE thher, te-ar; akin to OHG 
   zahar tear,] L dacruma, lacrima, Gk dakry 1a: a drop of clear saline fluid 
   secreted by the lacrimal gland and diffuse d between the eye and eyelids to 
   moisten the parts and facilitate their motion pl  1b: the secretion of 
   profuse tears that overflow the eyelids and dampen the  face pl  2: an act 
   of weeping or grieving  3: a transparent drop of fluid or hardened fluid 
   matter (as resin)  - teary aj
2. tear vi : to shed tears 
3. tear \'ta(*)r, 'te(*)r\ \'to-(*)r, 'to.(*)r\ \'to-(*)rn, 'to.(*)rn\ vb 
   or tore;  or torn or tear.ing [ME teren, fr. OE teran; akin to OHG zeran to 
   destroy, Gk ]derein to skin 1: to separate parts of or pull apart by force 
   : REND; also  : LACERATE {~ the skin} 2: to divide or disrupt by the pull 
   of contrary forces {a mind tornX with doubts} 3: to remove by force : 
   WRENCH  4: to make or effect by or as if by tearing {~ a hole in the wall)> 
   1: to separate on being pulled : REND  2: to move or act with violence, 
   haste, or force E mean to separate forcibly. TEAR implies pulling apart by 
   main force and leaving jagged edges; RIP implies a pulling apart in one 
   rapid uninterrupted motion often along a seam or joint; REND is rhetorical 
   and implies very violent or ruthless severing or sundering; SPLIT suggests 
   a forceful but often precise separating in the direction of grain or 
   layers; CLEAVE implies very forceful splitting or cutting with a blow; RIVE 
   suggests action rougher and more violent than split or cleave - tear.er n 
   SYN syn TEAR, RIP, REND, SPLIT, CLEAVE, RIV 
4. tear \'ta(*)r, 'te(*)r\ n 1a: the act of tearing  1b: damage from being 
   torn; esp : a hole or flaw made by tearing :: RENT 2a: a tearing pace : 
   HURRY  2b: SPREE {go on a ~}