noun |
1. The act of tearing. |
2. The result of tearing; a rip or rent. |
3. A great rush; a hurry. |
4. Slang A carousal; a spree. |
5. A drop of the clear salty liquid that is secreted by the lachrymal gland of the eye to lubricate the surface between the eyeball and eyelid and to wash away irritants. |
6. A profusion of this liquid spilling from the eyes and wetting the cheeks, especially as an expression of emotion. |
7. The act of weeping: criticism that left me in tears. |
8. A drop of a liquid or hardened fluid. |
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phrasal-verb |
1. tear around Informal To move about in excited, often angry haste. |
2. tear around Informal To lead a wild life. |
3. tear at To pull at or attack violently: The dog tore at the meat. |
4. tear at To distress greatly: Their plight tore at his heart. |
5. tear away To remove (oneself, for example) unwillingly or reluctantly. |
6. tear down To demolish: tear down old tenements. |
7. tear down To take apart; disassemble: tear down an engine. |
8. tear down To vilify or denigrate. |
9. tear into To attack with great vigor or violence: tore into the food; tore into his opponent. |
10. tear off Informal To produce hurriedly and casually: tearing off article after news article. |
11. tear up To tear to pieces. |
12. tear up To make an opening in: tore up the sidewalk to add a drain. |
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verb-intransitive |
1. To become torn. |
2. To move with heedless speed; rush headlong. |
3. To fill with tears. |
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verb-transitive |
1. To pull apart or into pieces by force; rend. |
2. To make (an opening) by ripping: tore a hole in my stocking. |
3. To lacerate (the skin, for example). |
4. To separate forcefully; wrench: tore the wrappings off the present. |
5. To divide or disrupt: was torn between opposing choices; a country that was torn by strife. |
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