rend

verb \ˈrend\

: to tear (something) into pieces with force or violence

rent \ˈrent\ also rend·ed \ˈren-dəd\ rend·ing

Full Definition of REND

transitive verb

: to remove from place by violence : wrest

: to split or tear apart or in pieces by violence

: to tear (the hair or clothing) as a sign of anger, grief, or despair

a : to lacerate mentally or emotionally

b : to pierce with sound

c : to divide (as a nation) into contesting factions

intransitive verb

: to perform an act of tearing or splitting

: to become torn or split

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Origin of REND

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

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to REND

Synonyms: tear, ribbon, rip, rive, shred, tatter

Synonym Discussion of REND

tear, rip, rend, split, cleave, rive mean to separate forcibly. tear implies pulling apart by force and leaving jagged edges <tear up the letter>. rip implies a pulling apart in one rapid uninterrupted motion often along a line or joint <ripped the shirt on a nail>. rend implies very violent or ruthless severing or sundering <an angry mob rent the prisoner's clothes>. split implies a cutting or breaking apart in a continuous, straight, and usually lengthwise direction or in the direction of grain or layers <split logs for firewood>. cleave implies very forceful splitting or cutting with a blow <a bolt of lightning cleaved the giant oak>. rive occurs most often in figurative use <a political party riven by conflict>.