Tair
/tɛr/noun
A Scots and dialectal form of “tear,” meaning to rip or rend.
Did you know?The Germanic root behind “tair” is linked with Greek dérma, meaning “skin”—the same ancient family behind “dermis” and “dermatology.”
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*der-
“To split, flay, or peel apart.”
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*teraną
“To tear or rend.”
Old English
Old English
teran
“To tear, pull apart, or destroy by rending.”
Middle English
Middle English
teren / teeren
“To tear or rip.”
Scots
Scots
tair
“A dialectal spelling and pronunciation of “tear,” meaning to rip or rend.”
Modern English dialects
English
tair
“A regional or Scots form of “tear.””
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