To destroy (sth.) by reducing it to fragments: (a) to rend (flesh, a garment, etc.), tear (sb. or sth.) to pieces; dismember (sb.), tear apart (an animal); draw (sb.) limb from limb; also fig.; also, tear (meat) apart; also, in oath: the devel the tere!; ~ from top to to(es, ~ insonder, ~ in-to peces; ~ bitwene, tear (each other) apart; ~ of thre, tear (a serpent) into three pieces; (b) to tear (one's garments) in a frenzy of emotion or madness; (c) to destroy (a book) by ripping it apart; also, fig. rend (the law).

(a) To rip away pieces of flesh from (sb., an animal) with claws, teeth, etc.; of briars: tear off (wool from a sheep); (b) to lacerate (flesh, skin, someone's body, etc.), esp. with a whip; also fig.; flay (sb.); refl. flagellate oneself; ppl. torn, lacerated, flayed; (c) to make a hole in (fabric, mail, a shield), cut, perforate; also, tear a slit in (a garment); also fig.;ppl. torn, perforated, cut, slit.

(a) To remove forcefully (a tongue, tooth, etc.), tear out, pull out; ~ oute; ~ of, tear off (a part of the body); ~ oute of hide, skin (a wolf); (b) to pull out (one's hair) in a frenzy of grief, rage, etc.; ~ of; ~ bi the her, refl. seize oneself by the hair, tear at one's hair; (c) to drag (sb.) away; drag (sb. to or from a place); ~ bi the her; (d) with prep.: ~ of, to pull (a garment) off (sb.); with adverbs: ~ adoun, pull (a rider) down (from a horse); ~ of, pull off (someone's armor); ~ up, pull up (a post); (e) fig. to take away (the fire of passion from sb.).

To wear out (an article of clothing); also, rub away (part of a plant); ppl. torn, frayed, tattered.

To demolish (a gate, wall, etc.), level, raze, tear down; ~ adoun (doun).