shears

Meanings

Noun

• large scissors with strong blades
• (physics) a deformation of an object in which parallel planes remain parallel but are shifted in a direction parallel to themselves
• a large edge tool that cuts sheet metal by passing a blade through it
• plural of shear
• A tool consisting of two blades with bevel edges, connected by a pivot, used for cutting cloth, or for removing the fleece from sheep etc.
• The bedpiece of a machine tool, upon which a table or slide rest is secured.
• An apparatus for raising heavy weights, and especially for stepping and unstepping the lower masts of ships. It consists of two or more spars or pieces of timber, fastened together near the top, steadied by a guy or guys, and furnished with the necessary tackle. Also sheers.
• Anything resembling a pair of shears in shape or motion, such as a pair of wings.

Verb

• cut with shears
• shear the wool from
• cut or cut through with shears
• become deformed by forces tending to produce a shearing strain
• third-person singular simple present indicative of shear

Synonyms

fleece, shear