First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
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
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 factions
intransitive verb
1
: to perform an act of tearing or splitting
2
: to become torn or split
See rend defined for English-language learners
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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
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>.
RENDING Defined for Kids
rend
verb \ˈrend\
rent \ˈrent\rend·ing
Definition of REND for Kids
: to tear apart by force
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