Shear (?), v. t. [imp. Sheared (?) or Shore (&?;);p. p. Sheared or
Shorn (&?;); p. pr. & vb. n. Shearing.] [OE. sheren, scheren, to shear,
cut, shave, AS. sceran, scieran, scyran; akin to D. & G. scheren, Icel.
skera, Dan. ski&?;re, Gr. &?;&?;&?;. Cf. Jeer, Score, Shard, Share,
Sheer to turn aside.] 1. To cut, clip, or sever anything from with
shears or a like instrument; as, to shear sheep; to shear cloth.
It is especially applied to the cutting of wool from sheep or their
skins, and the nap from cloth.
2. To separate or sever with shears or a similar instrument; to cut
off; to clip (something) from a surface; as, to shear a fleece.
Before the golden tresses . . . were shorn away.
Shak.