tear
separate or cause to separate abruptly
How often you will meet it
Rank 2,390 of 71,295 words measured. It occurs 7,190 times across 173,849 chapters — 0.003% of every word in the library.
What it means
verb
- separate or cause to separate abruptly also: rupture, snap, bust The rope snappedtear the paper
- to separate or be separated by force planks were in danger of being torn from the crossbars
- move quickly and violently also: shoot, shoot down, charge, buck The car tore down the streetHe came charging into my office
- strip of feathers also: pluck, pull, deplume, deplumate, displume pull a chickenpluck the capon
- fill with tears or shed tears Her eyes were tearing
noun
- a drop of the clear salty saline solution secreted by the lacrimal glands also: teardrop his story brought tears to her eyes
- an opening made forcibly as by pulling apart also: rip, rent, snag, split there was a rip in his pantsshe had snags in her stockings
- an occasion for excessive eating or drinking also: bust, binge, bout they went on a bust that lasted three days
tear in real books
Each sentence below was written by a published author and is taken from a different book in our library. Open one to read the passage it came from, with narration.
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A tear stood in Mag's faded eye.
Our Nig · Harriet E. Wilson · Chapter 1
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Now Kindred Merit fills the fable Bier, Now lacerated Friendship claims a Tear.
The Vanity of Human Wishes (1749) and Two · Samuel Johnson · Chapter 1
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For I was taught in Paradise To ease my breast of melodies-- Shed no tear.
Poems Every Child Should Know · Mary E. (Mary Elizabeth) [Editor] Burt · Chapter 1
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A tear stood in his bright blue eye, But still he answered, with a sigh, Excelsior!
The Complete Poetical Works of Henry · Henry Wadsworth Longfellow · Chapter 1
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I had intended to tear the thing in pieces without a glance, and fling it into the wastepaper-basket.
The Little Nugget · P. G. (Pelham Grenville) Wodehouse · Chapter 1