What does "rend" mean?

Rend: To part or tear off forcibly; to take away by force. An empire from its old foundations rent. Dryden. I will surely rend the kingdom from thee. 1 Kings xi.

Additional senses

  1. 2.To rap and rend. See under Rap, v. t., to snatch.
  2. 3.To be rent or torn; to become parted; to sepparate; to split. Jer. Taylor.

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