Shear Meaning in English
word
Definition
To cut the wool or hair off an animal, especially a sheep, using scissors or clippers. In technical contexts, it can also mean to cut through something or to refer to a type of force that causes something to break by sliding layers apart.
Usage & Nuances
'Shear' is commonly used in farming for removing wool from sheep, but also appears in engineering (as in 'shear force'). Do not confuse with 'sheer' (meaning pure or steep). The noun form ('shears') refers to large scissors.
Example Sentences
The farmer will shear the sheep in spring.
basic
You need special tools to shear a goat.
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Workers use machines to shear the wool quickly.
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After being sheared, the sheep looked much smaller.
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It's not easy to shear an animal that keeps moving.
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Engineers worry about metal beams that might shear under stress.
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