shear
UK: ʃɪə | US: ʃɪr
vt. to cut or trim (e.g., wool, hair, or grass) with scissors or a blade
vt. to strip or deprive (e.g., "sheared of power")
n. (usually plural shears) a cutting tool resembling large scissors
The word "shear" traces back to Old English sceran, meaning "to cut," derived from Proto-Germanic skeraną. It shares roots with Dutch scheren and German scheren, all tied to the action of cutting or shaving. The tool "shears" emerged from this verb, emphasizing its functional purpose. Over time, the word expanded metaphorically (e.g., "shearing" power or resources). Notably, it retains its core meaning across Germanic languages, reflecting its ancient utility in farming and textile work.
The farmer sheared the sheep’s wool before summer.
The dictator’s reforms sheared citizens of their rights.
She used garden shears to trim the hedges.
The wind sheared the flagpole in half during the storm.
Ancient tools for shearing wool were made of bronze.