shear

shear [shir]

vt.

sheared, sheared or shorn, shearing [ME scheren < OE scieran, akin to Ger scheren < IE base * (s)ker-, to cut > HARVEST]

1. to cut with shears or a similar sharp-edged instrument

2.

a) to remove (the hair, wool, etc.) by cutting or clipping

b) to cut or clip the hair, wool, etc. from

3. to tear or wrench (off) by shearing stress

4. to move through as if cutting

5. to strip or divest (someone) of a power, right, etc.

6. Dial. to reap with a sickle

vi.

1.

a) to use a cutting tool, as shears, in trimming or cutting wool, shrubbery, metal, etc.

b) Dial. to use a sickle in reaping

2. to come apart or break under the action of shearing stress

3. to move by or as if by cutting

n.

[ME schere < OE scear]

1.

a) rare var. of Rare SHEARS

b) a single blade of a pair of shears

2. a machine used in cutting metal, esp. sheet metal

3. the action, process, or result of shearing; specif., the shearing of wool from an animal: used in designating a sheep's age [a sheep of three shears]

4.

a) SHEARING STRESS

b) any strain or distortion in shape resulting from the action of shearing stress

shearer

n.