1. (physics) a deformation of an object in which parallel planes remain parallel but are shifted in a direction parallel to themselves
   "the shear changed the rectangle into a parallelogram"
    
2. A large edge tool that cuts sheet metal by passing a blade through it
   "The factory used industrial shears to cut large metal sheets"

1. Cut to the desired shape or thickness using shears
   "shear hedges"
    
2. Cut or cut through with shears
   "shear the wool off the lamb"
    
3. Shave the wool from
   "shear sheep";
   - fleece
    
4. (physics) become deformed by forces tending to produce a shearing strain
   "The metal sheared under the intense pressure"

Sounds like: shay, shear, shee

Derived forms: shears, sheared, shearing

Type of: change, clip, crop, cut, cut back, deformation, dress, edge tool, lop, prune, shave, snip, trim

Encyclopedia: Shear, William