tear
/tɪr/ · tear
noun
- A hole or break caused by tearing. A small tear is easy to mend, if it is on the seam.
- A rampage. to go on a tear
verb
- To rend (a solid material) by holding or restraining in two places and pulling apart, whether intentionally or not; to destroy or separate. He tore his coat on the nail.
- To injure as if by pulling apart. He has a torn ligament.
- To destroy or reduce abstract unity or coherence, such as social, political or emotional. He was torn by conflicting emotions.
Did you know? The word 'tear' has been used in various idiomatic expressions, such as 'to tear someone apart' (to criticize harshly) and 'to tear one's hair out' (to be extremely frustrated).