Rend

v. t. [imp. & p. p. RENT; p. pr. & vb. n. RENDING.] [A-S. rendan, hrendan, O. Fries. renda, randa, N. Fries. renne, to cut, rend, Icel. randi, ræna, to spoil, destroy; Ir. rannaim, to divide, share, part, W. rhanu, Armor. ranna.] 1. To separate into parts with force or sudden violence; to tear asunder; as, powder rends a rock in blasting; lightning rends an oak. Thunder doth rend the region. Shak. 2. To part or tear off forcibly; to split. “An empire from its old foundation rent.” Dryden. I will surely rend the kingdom from thee. 1 Kings xi. 11. Syn.—To tear; burst; break; rupture; lacerate; fracture; crack; split.