Main Entry: ¹lac·er·ate

Pronunciation: \ˈla-sə-ˌrāt\

Function: transitive verb

Inflected Form(s): lac·er·at·ed; lac·er·at·ing

Etymology: Middle English, from Latin laceratus, past participle of lacerare to tear; akin to Greek lakis tear

Date: 15th century

1 : to tear or rend roughly : wound jaggedly
2 : to cause sharp mental or emotional pain to : distress

— lac·er·a·tive \-ˌrā-tiv\ adjective