tears Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun the process of shedding tears (usually accompanied by sobs or other inarticulate sounds)
    weeping; crying.
    • I hate to hear the crying of a child
    • she was in tears
  2. noun a drop of the clear salty saline solution secreted by the lacrimal glands
    tear; teardrop.
    • his story brought tears to her eyes
  3. noun an opening made forcibly as by pulling apart
    tear; split; rent; rip; snag.
    • there was a rip in his pants
    • she had snags in her stockings
  4. noun an occasion for excessive eating or drinking
    tear; binge; bout; bust.
    • they went on a bust that lasted three days
  5. noun the act of tearing
    tear.
    • he took the manuscript in both hands and gave it a mighty tear
  6. verb separate or cause to separate abruptly
    tear; snap; rupture; bust.
    • The rope snapped
    • tear the paper
  7. verb to separate or be separated by force
    tear.
    • planks were in danger of being torn from the crossbars
  8. verb move quickly and violently
    tear; shoot; charge; shoot down; buck.
    • The car tore down the street
    • He came charging into my office
  9. verb strip of feathers
    deplumate; pull; tear; pluck; deplume; displume.
    • pull a chicken
    • pluck the capon
  10. verb fill with tears or shed tears
    tear.
    • Her eyes were tearing

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