: a drop of clear saline fluid secreted by the lacrimal gland and diffused between the eye and eyelids to moisten the parts and facilitate their motion
b
tears plural: a secretion of profuse tears that overflow the eyelids and dampen the face
2
tears plural: an act of weeping or grieving
broke into tears
3
: a transparent drop of fluid or hardened fluid matter (such as resin)
Noun (2)And thus he would die—out in the cold world, with no shelter over his homeless head. … And thus SHE would see him when she looked out upon the glad morning, and oh! would she drop one little tear upon his poor, lifeless form, would she heave one little sigh to see a bright young life so rudely blighted, so untimely cut down? Mark Twain, Tom Sawyer, 1876
Word History
Etymology
Verb (1) and Noun (1)
Middle English teren, from Old English teran; akin to Old High German zeran to destroy, Greek derein to skin, Sanskrit dṛṇāti he bursts, tears
Noun (2) and Verb (2)
Middle English, from Old English tæhher, tēar; akin to Old High German zahar tear, Greek dakry