rend

/ˈrend/

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

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

tear rip rend split cleave rive mean to separate forcibly. tear implies pulling apart by force and leaving jagged edges. rip implies a pulling apart in one rapid uninterrupted motion often along a line or joint.