v. Obs. Forms: see TEAR v.1 [OE. to-teran, f. TO-2 + teran, TEAR v.1 So MHG. zerzern.] trans. To tear to pieces.
c. 893. [see TO-TEE].
a. 900. Ags. Ps. (Th.), xxix. 11. Þu totære min hwite hreʓl.
c. 1000. Ælfric, Hom., II. 238. Ða næddran hi totæron.
c. 1205. Lay., 4993. Heo nom hire on anne curtel Þe wes swiðe to-toren [c. 1275 al to-tore].
a. 1225. Ancr. R., 84. Ȝet wolde he teteren & pileken, mid his bile, roted stinkinde fleshs.
13[?]. K. Alis., 4658. Alisaundre his clothes to-tare.
c. 1380. Wyclif, Serm., Sel. Wks. II. 204. Þis spirit … al to-teerynge him, wente oute from him.
c. 1440. Partonope, 4452. Why be your clothes thus to tore?
c. 1485. Digby Myst. (1882), IV. 305. The tormentours … With sharp scowrges te-terre his fleshe.
c. 1520. Treat. Galaunt (W. de W.), xiv. In our wanton werynge of clothes to-torne.
1605. Sylvester, Du Bartas, II. iii. III. Law, 784. Their shields, and staves, and chariots (all-to-tore).
