shear meaning and definition

SHEAR noun

Definition of shear (noun)

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 quadrilateral into a parallelogram"
2. a large edge tool that cuts sheet metal by passing a blade through it

SHEAR verb

Definition of shear (verb)

1. cut with shears
   • "shear hedges"
2. shear the wool from
   • "shear sheep"
   • synonyms: fleece
3. cut or cut through with shears
   • "shear the wool off the lamb"
4. become deformed by forces tending to produce a shearing strain