tear

Tear is a word with several related but distinct senses. In common use it refers to two main phenomena: a drop of liquid secreted by the lacrimal glands from the eye, and a rip or opening in a material such as fabric or paper. The verb tear means both to pull something apart and to move onward with force.

Tear as a liquid: A tear, or lacrimal secretion, is produced to lubricate, nourish, and protect the eye. Humans produce three functional types of tears: basal tears that keep the eye moist, reflex tears in response to irritants, and emotional tears associated with crying. Tears drain through the nasolacrimal duct into the nose. They are composed mainly of water, salts, enzymes such as lysozyme, and various proteins; emotional tears may differ in composition.

Tear as a noun meaning a rip: A tear denotes a separation or opening in a solid material caused by tensile or shearing stress. Tears can occur along seams, fibers, or weak points and vary in shape and size. They are repaired by stitching, patching, or reinforcement, or left to function as a feature in some contexts. In textiles and paper, tears can propagate under continued stress.

Verb form: To tear means to pull apart or to move rapidly and with force. The past tense is tore and the past participle torn. The term appears in idioms such as tear through, tear apart, or tear down.