1. (physics) a deformation of an object in which parallel planes remain parallel but are shifted in a direction parallel to themselves
   "the shear changed the rectangle into a parallelogram" 
2. A large edge tool that cuts sheet metal by passing a blade through it

1. Cut with shears
   "shear hedges" 
2. Shear the wool from
   "shear sheep"
   - fleece 
3. Cut or cut through with shears
   "shear the wool off the lamb" 
4. Become deformed by forces tending to produce a shearing strain

Sounds like: sheer, Shia

Derived forms: shears, sheared, shearing

See also: shearer, shearing, shears

Type of: change, clip, crop, cut, cut back, deformation, dress, edge tool, lop, prune, shave, snip, trim

Encyclopedia: Shear

• on the coattails
• on the contrary
• on the dot
• on the face of it
• on the fence
• on the fly
• on the go
• on the hook
• on the house
• on the level
• on the line
• on the loose
• on the mend
• on the nail
• on the nose
• on the off chance
• on the offensive
• on the one hand
• on the other hand
• on the QT
• on the qui vive
• on the road
• on the rocks
• on the ropes
• on the run