(târ) v. tore, torn, tear·ing v.t.
1. To pull apart, as cloth; part or separate by pulling; rip; rend.
2. To make by rending or tearing: to tear a hole in a dress.
3. To injure or lacerate, as skin.
4. To divide; disrupt: a party torn by dissension.
5. To distress or torment; anguish: The sight tore his heart.
—v.i.
6. To become torn or rent.
7. To move with haste and energy. See synonyms under REND.
—noun
1. A fissure made by tearing; a rent; an act of tearing.
2. Slang A carouse; a spree; frolic.
3. A rushing motion: to start off with a tear, also, any violent outburst, as of anger, enthusiasm, etc. ♦ Homophone: tare. [OE teran]

(tir) noun
1. A drop of the saline liquid secreted by the lacrimal gland, for moistening the eye.
2. Something resembling or suggesting a drop of the lacrimal fluid.
3. A drop of any liquid.
4. A droplike portion, as of glass, amber, etc.
5. plural Sorrow; lamentation. ♦ Homophone: tier. [OE tēar]
—tear′less adjective
—tear′y adjective
Tear may appear as a combining form in hyphemes or solidemes, with the meaning of definition 1: