tear

Definition

noun

a drop of the salty fluid which forms in the lacrimal gland. The fluid keeps the eyeball moist and clean and is produced in large quantities when a person cries.

Example Tears ran down her face.

(Note For other terms referring to tears, see words beginning with dacryo- or lacrimal.)

Usage she burst into tears
she suddenly started to cry
/teə/
a hole or a split in a tissue often due to over-stretching

Example An episiotomy was needed to avoid a tear in the perineal tissue.

verb

to make a hole or a split in a tissue by pulling or stretching it too much

Examples He tore a ligament in his ankle. • They carried out an operation to repair a torn ligament.

(Note tearing – tore – torn)