shear

Fetched 2026-10-26 (cache).

Synonyms: sheer, sear, smear, spear, sheaf, hear, scear, stear, snear, swear, shea

Antonyms: sheer, sear, smear, spear, sheaf, hear, scear, stear, snear, swear, shea

Related words from Datamuse; suggestions, not definitions.

Verb

1. {{lb|en|intransitive|transitive}} To [[remove]] the [[fleece#Noun|fleece]] from (a [[sheep]], [[llama]], etc.) by [[clip#Verb|clipping]].
2. To [[cut]] the [[hair]] of (a person).
3. To [[cut]], originally with a sword or other bladed weapon, now usually with [[shears]], or as if using shears.
4. {{lb|en|physics}} To [[deform]] because of [[force]]s pushing in [[opposite]] [[direction]]s.
5. {{lb|en|aviation|meteorology|intransitive|of [[wind]]}} To change in [[direction]] or [[speed]].
6. {{lb|en|mathematics}} To [[transform]] by [[displace|displacing]] every point in a [[direction]] [[parallel]] to some given [[line]] by a [[distance]] [[proportional]] to the point’s distance from the line.
7. {{lb|en|mining|intransitive}} To make a [[vertical]] cut in [[coal]].
8. {{lb|en|engineering}} (also 'shear off') To break or suddenly [[separate]] because of excessive [[force]], eg. a bolt.
9. {{lb|en|Scotland}} To [[reap]], as grain.
10. {{lb|en|figurative}} To [[deprive]] of [[property]]; to [[fleece]].

Noun

1. A cutting tool similar to [[scissors]], but often larger.
2. {{lb|en|metalworking}} A large machine use for cutting [[sheet metal]].
3. The act of shearing, or something removed by shearing.
4. {{lb|en|physics}} [[force|Forces]] that push in opposite directions.
5. {{lb|en|aviation|meteorology|uncountable}} The [[phenomenon]] of [[wind shear]].
6. {{lb|en|aviation|meteorology|countable}} A specific [[instance]] of [[wind shear]].
7. {{lb|en|mathematics}} A [[transformation]] that [[displace]]s every point in a [[direction]] [[parallel]] to some given [[line]] by a [[distance]] [[proportional]] to the point's distance from the line.
8. {{lb|en|geology}} The response of a [[rock]] to [[deformation]] usually by [[compressive]] [[stress]], resulting in particular [[texture]]s.

Adjective

1. {{misspelling of|en|sheer}}.

Proper noun

1. {{surname|en}}.

Source: Wiktionary · CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wiktionary dump) · cached copy, not a rewrite.