fortear

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English

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Etymology

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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

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fortear (third-person singular simple present fortears, present participle fortearing, simple past fortore, past participle fortorn)

  1. (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

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  • Usually found in the past participle as fortorn.