[f. TEAR v.1 + -ING2.] That tears, in various senses of the verb.
1. Generally (chiefly in fig. applications); esp. that wounds the feelings; severely distressing, harrowing; also, causing a sensation as of rending.
1606. Shaks., Ant. & Cl., IV. xiv. 31. She … Then in the midd’st a tearing grone did breake The name of Anthony.
1686. Burnet, Lett. (1708), 235. The tearing Anxieties, that Want brings with it.
1736. Ainsworth, Lat. Dict. (1783), s.v., A tearing, or very loud, voice, vox stentora vincens.
1839. Mrs. Carlyle, Lett., to Mrs. Aitken, 22 Nov. (1903), I. 86. One might think one’s maid’s tears could do little for a tearing headache; but they do comfort a little.
1898. Allbutt’s Syst. Med., V. 11. The cough [in bronchitis is described] as ‘tearing.’
2. Of a wind or storm: So violent as to tear things up or in pieces; raging.
1633. T. James, Voy., 29. We had a tearing storme at North.
1889. Barrie, Window in Thrums, 201. A tearing gale had blown the upper part of the brae clear.
3. Moving with impetuous speed; rushing.
1765. Sterne, Tr. Shandy, VII. xix. You do get on at a tearing rate.
1876. World, V. No. 106. 18. Soon afterwards the band began to play a tearing galop—the sign of the conclusion.
1887. T. A. Trollope, What I remember, II. iv. 66. Readers who are not in such a tearing hurry as the unhappy world is in these latter days.
1908. Westm. Gaz., 11 Aug., 10/3. To that [traffic] there has lately been added the tearing motor-’buses.
4. Violent or reckless in action or behavior; full of excitement; headstrong, passionate; ranting, roistering; boisterous, rollicking, exuberant. colloq. or slang. (Now rare.)
1654. Gayton, Pleas. Notes, IV. xxi. 271. Some tearing Tragedy full of fights and skirmishes.
1667. Pepys, Diary, 7 Oct. There was so much tearing company in the house, that we could not see the landlady.
1673. S. C., Art of Complaisance, vii. 65. I wished nothing so much as to be like the two tearing fellows, which the Poet had designed for the Characters of Gentlemen.
1790. Bystander, 343. Half a dozen young tearing rascals.
1823. Scott, Peveril, xxxviii. So in stole this termagant, tearing gallant.
1869. J. R. Green, Lett., III. (1901), 232. I am in such tearing spirits at the prospect of freedom.
b. Impressive, splendid, grand; ‘ripping,’ ‘rattling,’ ‘stunning.’ colloq. or slang. (Now rare.)
1693. Humours Town, 100. That so she may make a notable Figure, and a taring show the next Sunday in the Village-Church.
1721. Amherst, Terræ Fil., No. 33 (1754), 176. Persons … who cut a taring figure in silk-gowns, and bosh it about town in lace ruffles, and flaxon tye-wigs.
1850. Cumming, Hunter’s Life S. Afr. (1902), 29/1. A large bright comet, having a tearing, fiery tail.
1897. Outing (U.S.), XXX. 270/2. A mighty fine woman and a tearing beauty besides.
5. quasi-adv. Furiously. (Cf. raving mad.)
1692. R. L’Estrange, Fables, ccxlv. 213. This Bull … that ran Tearing Mad for the Pinching of a Mouse.
Tearing, vbl. sb.2 and ppl. a.2: see TEAR v.2
