rend

 
Pronunciation: /rɛnd/

verb (past and past participle rent /rɛnt/)

[with object]
  • tear (something) into pieces: snapping teeth that would rend human flesh to shreds figurative the speculation and confusion which was rending the civilized world
  • [with object and adverbial of direction] archaic wrench (something) violently: he rent the branch out of the tree
  • literary cause great emotional pain to: you tell me this in order to make me able to betray you without rending my heart

Phrases

rend the air

literary sound piercingly: a shrill scream rent the air

rend one's garments (or hair)

tear one’s clothes (or pull one’s hair out) as a sign of extreme grief or distress: the women began to wail and rend their garments

Origin:

Old English rendan; related to Middle Low German rende