Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 2001 (DOST Vol. X).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

(Tere,) Teir, Tair, To(i)r, v.¹ Also: tare. P.t. toir. P.p. torn, tort, tor(e, teared, tear'd. [ME and e.m.E. tere (a1200), teere (Wyclif), tear (1552), tare (1662). P.t. tar (Layamon), tare (c1530), teared (1578), tore (1653-4). P.p. toren (c1325), i-tore (Trevisa), teryd, torne (both Prompt. Parv.), teared (a1529), OE teran.] tr. lit. and fig. To rend, lacerate, wound; to rip (asunder, in pieces); to tear out, down.pres. 1570 Sat. P. xi 58.
With glowing gunne that man to teir(b) 1572 Sat. P. xxxii 63.
We merchandis … Thocht we wald trauell, thy reiffaris sa vs clairis … thay horribill houndis vs tairis 16.. Herries Mem. 87.
These insinuations tare there affections asunder 1681 Colvil Whig's Suppl. (1681) ii 27.
Let a sleeping mastive rest, Lest he … Tare all our breeches(c) 1513 Doug. vi ix 83 (Sm.).
With quhip in hand all redy … Thaim to assail, to toir, scurge, and beit 1513 Doug. xii x 129.
Ryvand hyr … tressys … Hyr rosy chekis to tor and scartis sche 1513 Doug. xiii v 120.
The ern … had claucht the litill … calf … Torryng the skyn c1590 J. Stewart 67/73.
As fell thunder dois strong montans toirp.t. c1590 J. Stewart 96/595.
The tygar, or the boir; … tham in gobbats gredelie all toirp.p. c1400 Troy-bk. i 550.
In the temple the wall was schorn, Bot nane couth tell how it was torn 1667–72 Lauder Jrnl. 170.
He shall restore what books he receaves and that intier and not torn(b) 1513 Doug. vi viii 38.
Deiphobus … with body tor and rent … and crewel maglit face 1513 Doug. xi xiii 109 (Ruddim.).
Tort [Ruddim. tore](c) 1676 Kirkcudbr. Sheriff Ct. Processes No. 219.
The dog … went away of his oune accord when he had teared and wounded me a1649 Drummond Wks. 37/1.
Kingdoms got by wrongs, by wrongs are tear'd 1677 Argyll Justic. Rec. I 78.
Stricken over the head with a … peice of board that he had teared out of the said dask 1677 Argyll Justic. Rec. I 78.
Maliciouslie … teared and pulled down the most part of the said dask