fortear

English

Etymology

From Middle English forteren, possibly from Old English *forteran, from Proto-West Germanic *frateran (“to tear up”), equivalent to for- (“up, completely”) +‎ tear. Cognate with Dutch verteren (“to devour”), German Low German vertehren (“to consume”), German verzehren (“to consume”).

Verb

fortear (third-person singular simple present fortears, present participle fortearing, simple past fortore, past participle fortorn)

1. (transitive) To tear up; tear to pieces.
   • 1842, Royal Ralph Hinman, A Historical Collection from Official Records, Files, &c., of the Part Sustained by Connecticut, During the War of the Revolution: With an Appendix, Containing Important Letters, Depositions, &c., Written During the War, page 43:

     A German hussar, a veteran in the wars of Germany, appeared at the door of Congress, in Philadelphia, in his uniform and on horseback, with a fortorn cap upon his head, [...]

   • 1882, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, The poetical works of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow:

     It was as if an earthquake rent, And made fortorn The households horn Of peace on earth, [...]

Usage notes

• Usually found in the past participle as fortorn.