Rend \Rend\ (r[e^]nd), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Rent (r?nt); p. pr.
& vb. n. Rending.]
[AS. rendan, hrendan; cf. OFries. renda,
randa, Fries. renne to cut, rend, Icel. hrinda to push,
thrust, AS. hrindan; or cf. Icel. r?na to rob, plunder, Ir.
rannaim to divide, share, part, W. rhanu, Armor. ranna.]
1. To separate into parts with force or sudden violence; to
tear asunder; to split; to burst; as, powder rends a rock
in blasting; lightning rends an oak.
The dreadful thunder Doth rend the region. --Shak.
2. To part or tear off forcibly; to take away by force.
An empire from its old foundations rent. --Dryden.
I will surely rend the kingdom from thee. --1 Kings
xi. 11.
To rap and rend. See under Rap, v. t., to snatch.
Syn: To tear; burst; break; rupture; lacerate; fracture;
crack; split.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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