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fortear. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
fortear, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
fortear in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
fortear you have here. The definition of the word
fortear will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
fortear, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
English
Etymology
From Middle English forteren, possibly from Old English *forteran, from Proto-West Germanic *frateran (“to tear up”), equivalent to for- (“up, completely”) + tear. Cognate with Dutch verteren (“to devour”), German Low German vertehren (“to consume”), German verzehren (“to consume”).
Verb
fortear (third-person singular simple present fortears, present participle fortearing, simple past fortore, past participle fortorn)
- (transitive) To tear up; tear to pieces.
1842, Royal Ralph Hinman, A Historical Collection from Official Records, Files, &c., of the Part Sustained by Connecticut, During the War of the Revolution: With an Appendix, Containing Important Letters, Depositions, &c., Written During the War, page 43:A German hussar, a veteran in the wars of Germany, appeared at the door of Congress, in Philadelphia, in his uniform and on horseback, with a fortorn cap upon his head, [...]
1882, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, The poetical works of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow:It was as if an earthquake rent, And made fortorn The households horn Of peace on earth, [...]
Usage notes
- Usually found in the past participle as fortorn.