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Webster 1913 Edition

Shears

Shears

,
Noun.
pl.
[Formerly used also in the singular. See
Shear
,
Noun.
, 1.]
1.
A cutting instrument.
Specifically:
(a)
An instrument consisting of two blades, commonly with bevel edges, connected by a pivot, and working on both sides of the material to be cut, – used for cutting cloth and other substances.
Fate urged the
shears
, and cut the sylph in twain.
Pope.
(b)
A similar instrument the blades of which are extensions of a curved spring, – used for shearing sheep or skins.
(c)
A shearing machine; a blade, or a set of blades, working against a resisting edge.
2.
Anything in the form of shears.
Specifically:
(a)
A pair of wings.
[Obs.]
Spenser.
(b)
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.
[Written also
sheers
.]
3.
(Mach.)
The bedpiece of a machine tool, upon which a table or slide rest is secured;
as, the
shears
of a lathe or planer
. See Illust. under
Lathe
.
Rotary shears
.
See under
Rotary
.

Webster 1828 Edition

Shears

SHEARS

,
Noun.
plu.
[from the verb.]
1. An instrument consisting of two blades with a bevel edge, movable on a pin, used for cutting cloth and other substances by interception between the two blades. Shears differ from scissors chiefly in being larger.
Fate urg'd the shears and cut the sylph in twain. Pope.
2. Something in the form of the blades of shears.
3. Wings. [Not in use.]
4. An engine for raising heavy weights. [See Sheers.]
5. The denomimation of the age of sheep from the cutting of the teeth; as sheep of one shear, two shear, &c. [Local.]

Definition 2024

shears

shears

English

Noun

shears (2)

shears

  1. plural of shear
  2. (plural only) 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
  3. (engineering) The bedpiece of a machine tool, upon which a table or slide rest is secured.
    the shears of a lathe or planer
  4. 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.

Usage notes

  • The tool was once used in the singular.

Translations

Verb

shears

  1. third-person singular simple present indicative form of shear

Anagrams

Pronunciation

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