Word a Day
tear
What does tear mean?
tear (verb): to rend (a solid material) by holding or restraining in two places and pulling apart, whether intentionally or not; to destroy or separate.
Definition: Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.
How do you use tear in a sentence?
- Tear the coupon out of the newspaper. (Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0)
Where does tear come from?
From Middle English teren, from Old English teran (“to tear, lacerate”), from Proto-Germanic *teraną (“to tear, tear apart, rip”), from Proto-Indo-European *der- (“to tear, tear apart”).
Etymology: Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.
What are synonyms of tear?
From Princeton WordNet 3.1.
Test yourself: do you know “tear”?
Tap an answer to check it. The same questions the app asks.
What does “tear” mean?
to gain or obtain (a desired objective, result, etc.) through effort or skill; to succeed in attaining (an objective, result, etc.); to win
Not quite: that's what achieve means.
to spring up; to come into action, being, or notice; to become operative, sensible, or visible; to begin to act a part; to present itself
Not quite: that's what arise means.
to rend (a solid material) by holding or restraining in two places and pulling apart, whether intentionally or not; to destroy or separate
Right! That's what “tear” means.
to interrupt the continuance of; to put an end to, especially as regards commercial productions; to stop producing, making, or supplying
Not quite: that's what discontinue means.
Which word is closest in meaning to “tear”?
rupture
Right!
believe
Not quite: believe means something else.
include
Not quite: include means something else.
provide
Not quite: provide means something else.
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