GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

last match results

Found 2 definitions

1.       
   Shear (shēr), v. t. [imp. Sheared (?) or Shore ();p. p. Sheared or Shorn (); p. pr. & vb. n. Shearing.] [OE. sheren, scheren, to shear, cut, shave, AS. sceran, scieran, scyran; akin to D. & G. scheren, Icel. skera, Dan. skire, Gr. .  Cf. Jeer, Score, Shard, Share, Sheer to turn aside.]
   1. To cut, clip, or sever anything from with shears or a like instrument; as, “to shear sheep; to shear cloth”.
   
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   ☞ It is especially applied to the cutting of wool from sheep or their skins, and the nap from cloth.
   
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   2. To separate or sever with shears or a similar instrument; to cut off; to clip (something) from a surface; as, “to shear a fleece”.
   
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   Before the golden tresses . . . were shorn away. Shak.
   
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   3. To reap, as grain. [Scot.]  Jamieson.
   
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   4. Fig.: To deprive of property; to fleece.
   
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   5. (Mech.) To produce a change of shape in by a shear. See Shear, n., 4.
   
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2.       
   Shorn (), p. p. of Shear.
   
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