Definition of tear

• n. - A drop of the limpid, saline fluid secreted, normally in small amount, by the lachrymal gland, and diffused between the eye and the eyelids to moisten the parts and facilitate their motion. Ordinarily the secretion passes through the lachrymal duct into the nose, but when it is increased by emotion or other causes, it overflows the lids.
• n. - Something in the form of a transparent drop of fluid matter; also, a solid, transparent, tear-shaped drop, as of some balsams or resins.
• n. - That which causes or accompanies tears; a lament; a dirge.
• v. t. - To separate by violence; to pull apart by force; to rend; to lacerate; as, to tear cloth; to tear a garment; to tear the skin or flesh.
• v. t. - Hence, to divide by violent measures; to disrupt; to rend; as, a party or government torn by factions.
• v. t. - To rend away; to force away; to remove by force; to sunder; as, a child torn from its home.
• v. t. - To pull with violence; as, to tear the hair.
• v. t. - To move violently; to agitate.
• v. i. - To divide or separate on being pulled; to be rent; as, this cloth tears easily.
• v. i. - To move and act with turbulent violence; to rush with violence; hence, to rage; to rave.
• n. - The act of tearing, or the state of being torn; a rent; a fissure.