tear-comb. form
The stem of tear v.1 in combination.
1. With adverb, forming nouns or adjectives.
tear-away adj. and n.
Brit. 
/ˈtɛːrəweɪ/
, /ˈtɛːrəweɪ/U.S. /ˈtɛrəˌweɪ/
(a) adj. characterized by impetuous speed, tearing (cf. tear v.1 9); (b) n. one who or that which ‘tears’ or rushes away, or acts with great impetuosity; now usually (written tearaway), an unruly young person, a hooligan, ruffian, or petty criminal (formerly applied spec. to a kind of thief: see quot. 1938)./ˈtɛrəˌweɪ/ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > manner of action > rapidity or speed of action or operation > [adjective] > violently or forcefully
tear-away1833
the mind > possession > taking > stealing or theft > thief > [noun] > by snatching > specific
silk snatcher1785
bag-snatcher1908
tear-away1938
society > authority > lack of subjection > unruliness > disorder or riot > [noun] > action or behaviour of gangs of hooligans > member of gang of hooligans
whitecap1607
shrove-prentice1638
Mohock?1711
sweater1712
highbinder1806
hoodlum1871
hooligan1898
hood1930
skolly1934
tear-away1938
gunsel1942
Teddy boy1954
hell's angel1956
angel1965
bikie1967
skinhead1969
bovver boy1970
boot-boy1977
casual1980
society > authority > lack of subjection > unruliness > [noun] > unruly person
flight-head1605
unruly1611
wild-blood1820
tear-away1958
1833 T. Hook Parson's Daughter III. vii. 182 To mount a great tear-away chestnut horse.
1891 N. Gould Double Event 67 The tearaway [a horse] of that morning..had suddenly developed into a mild, affectionate creature.
1901 S. F. Bullock Irish Past. iv. 100 Now that lassie's a tear-away.
1903 Windsor Mag. Sept. 394/2 The substitutes also were tear-away bowlers, but they were not so fast as the first pair.
1938 F. D. Sharpe Sharpe of Flying Squad i. 15 A type of crime which has almost died out now was that carried out by thieves known as ‘Tearaways’ who used to hang about outside the theatres after the show and snatch costly brooches from women's dress fronts.
1950 Observer 2 Apr. 7/3 He..boasted of being a proper ‘tearaway’ (one who sticks at nothing).
1958 Punch 19 Feb. 263/2 You get some proper tearaways (quarrelsome fellows) at the dogs.
1962 Observer 18 Feb. 21/3 My grandfather was a pickpocket, my six uncles were all villains and tearaways, my brothers and friends were thieves.
1978 L. Davidson Chelsea Murders xxiii. 140 He had a bit of form..in younger days a tearaway, the odd charge of violence.
tear-down n.
Brit. /ˈtɛːdaʊn/
, /ˈtɛːdaʊn/U.S. /ˈtɛrˌdaʊn/
the complete dismantling of a piece of machinery./ˈtɛrˌdaʊn/ΚΠ
1976 Lebende Sprachen 21 152/2 After engine teardown exercise special care to replace damaged carbon rubbing type seals.
1981 Pop. Hot Rodding Feb. 51/1 Installing new pistons means removing the engine, an almost complete tear-down, and then a re-installation job.
tear-off adj. and n. /ˈtɛrˌɑf/ (a) adj. adapted to be torn off; (b) n. a sheet or slip of paper so attached as to be easily torn off.
Brit. /ˈtɛːrɒf/
, /ˈtɛːrɒf/U.S. /ˈtɛrˌɔf/
, /ˈtɛrˌɔf//ˈtɛrˌɑf/ΘΚΠ
the world > space > place > removal or displacement > [adjective] > removed or taken away > able to be
removablec1470
exemptile1607
exemptible1611
pull-off1875
tear-off1889
twist-off1932
take-off1950
the world > relative properties > wholeness > mutual relation of parts to whole > separation > separation or detachment > [adjective] > detachable > specific
pull-off1875
tear-off1889
punch-out1931
take-off1950
peel-off1960
society > communication > writing > writing materials > material to write on > paper > [noun] > slip of > for tearing off
sheet1776
tear-off1889
1889 Pall Mall Gaz. 21 Dec. 3/1 Blotting pads, with a tear-off engagement-sheet at the side.
1910 Brit. Empire Paper Trades' Jrnl. May 186 Portrait and Figure Studies, with Daily Tear-off Block and Quotations for every day in the year.
1945 J. Rhys-Williams Stern Daughter xxx. 207 The little calendar..was the tear-off kind, with quotations.
1961 ‘B. Wells’ Day Earth caught Fire i. 7 An alert..youngish man..was at his desk busily working on tear-offs with swift, practised strokes of his red pencil.
1980 T. Barling Goodbye Piccadilly ii. 50 A big tear-off calendar gave today's date.
tear-out n.
Brit. /ˈtɛːraʊt/
, /ˈtɛːraʊt/U.S. /ˈtɛrˌaʊt/
the action of pulling out the fitments, décor, etc., of a room./ˈtɛrˌaʊt/ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > industry > decorating and painting > [noun] > destroying decor
tear-out1976
the world > space > place > removal or displacement > extraction > extract [verb (transitive)] > pull out or up > violently tear out or up
ruska1300
off-teara1393
ripa1400
whop14..
rivea1425
ravec1450
reavec1450
esrache1477
to plough out1591
uptear1593
outrive1598
ramp1607
upthrow1627
tear1667
to tear up1709
evulse1827
efforce1855
tear-out1976
1976 Billings (Montana) Gaz. 17 June 3- f/1 (advt.) Custom Homes. Apartments. Remodeling... ‘Specializing in Tear-Out.’ Every kind of concrete work.
tear-up n.
Brit. /ˈtɛːrʌp/
, /ˈtɛːrʌp/U.S. /ˈtɛrˌəp/
an uprooting; a violent removal ( Cent. Dict. 1891); also (slang), the action or an instance of tearing up; a spell of wild, destructive behaviour; a mêlée; in Jazz, a lively, rousing performance (cf. tear v.1 3g)./ˈtɛrˌəp/ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > behaviour > bad behaviour > violent behaviour > [noun] > reckless or riotous > instance of
tear-up1886
society > leisure > the arts > music > performing music > a performance > [noun] > lively performance
tear-up1886
the world > relative properties > order > disorder > confusion or disorder > commotion, disturbance, or disorder > [noun] > violent > instance of
combustion1579
hurricane1639
bluster1656
tear-up1886
1886 H. Baumann Londinismen 206/2 Tear-up.., feine(s) Geschäft.
1890 A. Barrère & C. G. Leland Dict. Slang II. 339/2 ‘What is it this time?’.. ‘Only a tear up’... Among the readers of the St. James's Gazette there may be some who are unacquainted with the accepted method of obtaining a fresh outfit among the casual poor.
1890 A. Barrère & C. G. Leland Dict. Slang II. 340/1 At his feet, in a heap on the floor, lay some filthy rags,..the remnants of what had recently been his garments... The heap was the result of the tear up.
1958 S. Race in P. Gammond Decca Bk. Jazz x. 125 Max Kaminsky..and of course Bunny Berigan all took turns to roughen up that smooth ensemble.., with the historic Berigan tear-ups especially welcome.
1964 E. Parr Grafters All xiii. 151 He enters an orgy of crime, more commonly known as ‘having a tear-up’.
1974 J. McVicar McVicar i. iii. 62 I decided to have a tear-up.
1982 New Society 9 Dec. 422/2 We've had a tear-up with the police.
1983 Listener 9 June 35/3 The music is not the tear-up associated with jazz at the Phil.
2. With noun in objective relation, forming nouns or adjectives.† ˈtear-brain n. Obsolete see quot.† tear-mouth n. Obsolete an epithet applied to a ranting actor.† tear-placket n. Obsolete ? a cutpurse.† tear-rogue n. Obsolete ? a roistering disreputable fellow.† tear-throat adj. and n. Obsolete (a) adj. that ‘tears’ or irritates the throat; (b) n. a ranting actor.
tear-arse n.
Brit. /ˈtɛːrɑːs/
, /ˈtɛːrɑːs/U.S. /ˈtɛrˌɑrs/
slang a very active busy person./ˈtɛrˌɑrs/ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > manner of action > vigour or energy > [noun] > vigorous or energetic person > extremely
hummer1681
bearcat1897
ball of fire1900
tear-arse1923
1923 J. Manchon Le Slang 308 Tear-arse,..un qui s'échine (à travailler).
1976 ‘J. Fraser’ Who steals my Name? ii. 17 You'll need to settle down. You can't be a teararse all your life.
tear-arse v.
Brit. /ˈtɛːrɑːs/
, /ˈtɛːrɑːs/U.S. /ˈtɛrˌɑrs/
(also U.S.tear-ass) (intransitive) to drive recklessly, rush around wildly and rowdily./ˈtɛrˌɑrs/ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > rate of motion > swiftness > swift movement in specific manner > move swiftly in specific manner [verb (intransitive)] > move swiftly and violently > rush around
scour1297
startlec1300
reelc1400
rammisha1540
gad1552
ramp1599
fling1620
to run rounda1623
rampage1791
to run around1822
to rip and tear1846
hella1864
running around like a chicken with its head cut off (also like a chicken with no head)1887
to haul ass1918
tear-arse1942
society > travel > transport > transport or conveyance in a vehicle > driving or operating a vehicle > drive a vehicle [verb (intransitive)] > drive or operate a motor vehicle > fast or recklessly
speed1904
blind1923
cowboy1933
tear-arse1942
fang1973
hoon1983
1942 L. V. Berrey & M. Van den Bark Amer. Thes. Slang §53/8 Tear-ass &c. around,..to hasten or rush around.
1954 Amer. Speech 29 103 Tear ass, v. phr., to drive fast or recklessly.
1968 J. Wainwright Edge of Extinction 34 We're the..killjoys. The miserable bastards who won't let 'em tear-arse around the town at sixty miles an hour.
1972 A. Draper Death Penalty xix. 119 Some lads were picked up after the cup match for tear-arsing around.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > drink > intoxicating liquor > [noun]
drink1042
liquor1340
bousea1350
cidera1382
dwale1393
sicera1400
barrelc1400
strong drinkc1405
watera1475
swig1548
tipple1581
amber1598
tickle-brain1598
malt pie1599
swill1602
spicket1615
lap1618
John Barleycornc1625
pottle1632
upsy Englisha1640
upsy Friese1648
tipplage1653
heartsease1668
fuddle1680
rosin1691
tea1693
suck1699
guzzlea1704
alcohol1742
the right stuff1748
intoxicant1757
lush1790
tear-brain1796
demon1799
rum1799
poison1805
fogram1808
swizzle1813
gatter1818
wine(s) and spirit(s)1819
mother's milkc1821
skink1823
alcoholics1832
jough1834
alky1844
waipiro1845
medicine1847
stimulant1848
booze1859
tiddly1859
neck oil1860
lotion1864
shrab1867
nose paint1880
fixing1882
wet1894
rabbit1895
shicker1900
jollop1920
mule1920
giggle-water1929
rookus juice1929
River Ouse1931
juice1932
lunatic soup1933
wallop1933
skimish1936
sauce1940
turps1945
grog1946
joy juice1960
1796 G. M. Woodward Eccentric Excurs. 80 Another curious liquor called tear-brain, composed entirely of Rum and Brandy.
tear-brass adj. /ˈtɛːbras/,
Brit. /ˈtɛːbrɑːs/
, /ˈtɛːbrɑːs//ˈtɛːbras/U.S. /ˈtɛrˌbræs/
rowdy, prodigal./ˈtɛrˌbræs/ΘΚΠ
the mind > goodness and badness > inferiority or baseness > ruffianly conduct > ruffian > [adjective]
ruffian1528
ruffianly1570
tory-rory1678
rowdy1819
tear-brass1880
the world > action or operation > behaviour > bad behaviour > violent behaviour > [adjective] > rough > rough or boisterous
robustious1548
boisterous1568
rory-tory1683
randy1723
rumgumptious1781
lungeous1787
rowdy dowdy1816
roaritorious1821
riproarious1830
rough and tumble1831
rowdy1832
rowdy-dow1832
tear-brass1880
knockabout1885
rory-cum-tory1893
roughhouse1896
1880 T. Hardy Trumpet-major I. ix. 173 To..provide goods for his breaking, and house-room and drink for his tear-brass set.
tear-bridge adj.
Brit. /ˈtɛːbrɪdʒ/
, /ˈtɛːbrɪdʒ/U.S. /ˈtɛrˌbrɪdʒ/
that tears or destroys bridges: used as epithet of a river./ˈtɛrˌbrɪdʒ/ΚΠ
1605 J. Sylvester tr. G. de S. Du Bartas Deuine Weekes & Wks. ii. ii. 451 The diaprie verges Of teare-bridge Tigris.
tear-cat adj. and n.
Brit. /ˈtɛːkat/
, /ˈtɛːkat/U.S. /ˈtɛrˌkæt/
(a) adj. swaggering, ranting, bombastic (see tear v.1 1d); (b) n. a bully, swaggerer, ‘fire-eater’./ˈtɛrˌkæt/ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > pride > boasting or boastfulness > blustering or bravado > [noun] > person
jettera1400
flirdom?a1500
facerc1500
termagant1508
rutterkina1529
bellomy1535
bystour1535
roister1549
swash1549
rush-buckler1551
roisterkin1553
swashbuckler1560
dash-buckler1567
swinge-buckler?1577
whiffler1581
huff-snuff1582
swish-swash1582
fixnet1583
swag1588
swasher?1589
kill-cow1590
roister-doister1592
dagger1597
flaunting Fabian1598
tisty-tosty1598
huff-cap1600
swaggerer1600
burgullian1601
huff-muff1602
tear-cat1606
blusterer1609
wag-feather1611
wind-cutter1611
bilbo-lorda1625
tearer1633
cacafuegoa1640
bravado1643
Hector1655
scaramouch1662
swashado1663
huffer1664
bluster-mastera1670
Drawcansir1672
bully huff1673
huff1674
belswagger1680
valienton1681
blunderbuss1685
Draw can bully1698
bouncer1764
Bobadil1771
bounce1819
pistol1828
sacripant1829
hufty1847
bucko1883
society > leisure > the arts > performance arts > drama > actor > [adjective] > type of actor by performance
tear-cat1606
Roscian1607
buffo1789
stickish1810
Protean1871
glimmery1892
hammy1929
ham1935
pixilated1959
1606 J. Day Ile of Guls sig. A2v I had rather heare two good baudie iests, then a whole play of such teare-cat thunderclaps.
1611 T. Middleton & T. Dekker Roaring Girle sig. K3v Iac. Dap. What's thy name fellow souldier? T. Cat. I am cal'd by those that haue seen my valour, Tear-Cat. Omn. Teare-Cat?
1821 W. Scott Kenilworth I. xii. 316 A man of mettle, one of those ruffling tear-cats, who maintain their master's quarrel with sword and buckler.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > performance arts > drama > actor > [noun] > actor by manner of performance
tear-mouth1616
tear-throat1620
spouter1750
stick1801
gagger1871
facialist1877
fake1880
hamfatter1880
ham1882
mugger1892
ham-bone1893
upstager1933
rhubarber1953
1616 B. Jonson Poëtaster (rev. ed.) iii. iv, in Wks. I. 304 You grow rich, doe you? and purchase, you two-penny teare-mouth?
1819 W. Scott Let. 4 Apr. (1933) V. 339 A copper-laced, twopenny tearmouth.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > taking > stealing or theft > thief > pickpocket or cutpurse > [noun] > cut-purse
cutpurse1362
purse-carverc1380
purse-cuttera1500
knight of the knife1631
tear-placketa1640
a1640 J. Day & H. Chettle Blind-beggar (1659) sig. G3v I have spent many a gray groat of honest swaggerers, and tear-Plackets..that I never drunk for.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > goodness and badness > inferiority or baseness > villainy > villain > [noun] > roistering
tear-rogue1685
society > leisure > social event > a merrymaking or convivial occasion > merrymaker > [noun] > noisy or riotous
revellerc1405
roister1549
roisterkin1553
care-away1576
roister-doister1592
mad shaver1611
roarer1622
wassailer1637
scourer1672
roisterer1684
tear-rogue1685
howler1875
the world > action or operation > behaviour > bad behaviour > violent behaviour > [noun] > rough or boisterous > person
barratorc1440
brawlc1440
outcrier1535
tear-rogue1685
breacher1697
rowdy1814
roughiea1819
roughneck1834
rough1837
soap-lock1840
roughhouser1901
gurrier1936
1685 in J. Raine Depos. Castle of York (1861) 275 He was a Monmouth teare-rogue, and..had raysed men..for Monmouth's service.
tear-sheet n.
Brit. /ˈtɛːʃiːt/
, /ˈtɛːʃiːt/U.S. /ˈtɛrˌʃit/
chiefly U.S. a sheet torn from a publication (or, later, separately printed and unbound) to be sent to an advertiser whose advertisement appears on it as proof of insertion; also one containing an article; more generally, a tear-off sheet from a teleprinter or calendar./ˈtɛrˌʃit/ΘΚΠ
society > communication > printing > printed matter > [noun] > sheet torn out for specific purpose
tear-sheet1930
society > communication > information > publishing or spreading abroad > advertising > advertising in the press > [noun] > proof of insertion
tear-sheet1930
1930 H. A. Groesbeck Pract. Photo-engraving ii. 4 The ‘tear-sheet’ of the newspaper advertisement, also the drawing from which it was made, have just been received.
1950 R. Chandler Let. 15 Feb. in Let. (1981) 210 Herewith the tear sheets from a Pocket Atlantic with..the article you desired.
1962 Listener 19 Apr. 672/1 One of the President's advisers came in with a tear-sheet from the news ticker.
1972 M. J. Bosse Incident at Naha i. 16 He was slowly flipping the tear sheets of the desk calendar.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > performance arts > drama > actor > [noun] > actor by manner of performance
tear-mouth1616
tear-throat1620
spouter1750
stick1801
gagger1871
facialist1877
fake1880
hamfatter1880
ham1882
mugger1892
ham-bone1893
upstager1933
rhubarber1953
1620 J. Taylor Praise of Hemp-seed 7 The tearethroat cough and tisick From which, to health men are restor'd by Phisick.
1654 E. Gayton Pleasant Notes Don Quixot i. vii. 24 The Poets of the Fortune and red Bull, had alwayes a mouth-measure for their Actors (who were terrible teare throats).
tear-thumb n.
Brit. /ˈtɛːθʌm/
, /ˈtɛːθʌm/U.S. /ˈtɛrˌθəm/
two species of Polygonum native to North America (and Asia), the halberd-leaved tear-thumb, P. arifolium, and the arrow-leaved, P. sagittatum; so called from the hooked prickles on the petioles and angles of the stems./ˈtɛrˌθəm/ΘΚΠ
the world > plants > particular plants > plants and herbs > according to family > Polygonaceae (dock and allies) > [noun] > bistort and allies
adderwortOE
arsesmarta1300
persicarya1400
persicaria?a1450
polygonya1500
buckwheat1548
polygonum1562
passions1568
bistort1578
oysterloit1578
goat's wheat1597
peachwort1597
plumbago1597
redshank1597
snake-weed1597
dragonwort1656
smartweed1787
patience dock1796
red-legs1820
passion dock1828
smartgrass1837
mud knotweed1845
jointweed1866
tear-thumb1866
pinch-weed1883
knotweed1884
sachaline1901
1866 J. Lindley & T. Moore Treasury Bot. Tear-thumb.
1926 W. Virginia Legislature Hand Bk. 488 Do you see among those [wild flowers] present, any exotics?.. Yes..This bit of smart-weed or tear thumb.
1978 C. B. Dugdale Mod. Amer. Herbal II. 124 Tearthumb; Arrow-leaved Tearthumb... The small cluster of flowers varies in color from pinkish to whitish.
Draft additions September 2007
tear-down n.
Brit. /ˈtɛːdaʊn/
, /ˈtɛːdaʊn/U.S. /ˈtɛrˌdaʊn/
North American colloquial a house bought for the express purpose of demolishing it and building a larger one on the same plot; a purchase of this type./ˈtɛrˌdaʊn/ΚΠ
1990 Los Angeles May 8/1 The natives are complaining about its rapid Beverley Hills-ization as pushy refugees from the south scour the avocado-smothered hills for a $2 million tear-down.
1994 Chicago Tribune 21 July ii. 7/4 Since the mid-1980s, suburbs such as Hinsdale and Evanston have seen a rash of teardowns.
2005 Wall St. Jrnl. 21 Mar. (Central ed.) a2/4 Homes also are removed or lost..because of ‘tear downs’.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1911; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
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