Main Entry: rend

Pronunciation: \ˈrend\

Function: verb

Inflected Form(s): rent \ˈrent\ also rend·ed \ˈren-dəd\; rend·ing

Etymology: Middle English, from Old English rendan; akin to Old Frisian renda to tear and perhaps to Sanskrit randhra hole

Date: before 12th century

transitive verb 1 : to remove from place by violence : wrest
2 : to split or tear apart or in pieces by violence
3 : to tear (the hair or clothing) as a sign of anger, grief, or despair
4 a : to lacerate mentally or emotionally b : to pierce with sound c : to divide (as a nation) into contesting factionsintransitive verb 1 : to perform an act of tearing or splitting
2 : to become torn or split

synonyms see tear