From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Shear \Shear\ (sh[=e]r), v. t. [imp. Shearedor 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.
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Note: It is especially applied to the cutting of wool from
sheep or their skins, and the nap from cloth.
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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.
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Before the golden tresses . . . were shorn away.
--Shak.
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3. To reap, as grain. [Scot.] --Jamieson.
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4. Fig.: To deprive of property; to fleece.
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5. (Mech.) To produce a change of shape in by a shear. See
Shear, n., 4.
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From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Shorn \Shorn\,
p. p. of Shear.
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