Rend (r?nd), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Rent (r?nt); p. pr. & vb. n. Rending.] [AS. rendan, hrendan; cf. OFries. renda, randa, Fries.renne to cut, rend, Icel. hrinda to push, thrust, AS. hrindan; or cf. Icel. rna to rob, plunder, Ir. rannaim to divide, share, part, W. rhanu, Armor. ranna.] 1. To separate into parts with force or sudden violence; to tear asunder; to split; to burst; as, powder rends a rock in blasting; lightning rends an oak.
The dreadful thunder
Doth rend the region.
Shak.
2. 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. 11.
To rap and rend. See under Rap, v. t., to snatch.
Syn. -- To tear; burst; break; rupture; lacerate; fracture; crack; split.
© Webster 1913.
Rend, v. i. To be rent or torn; to become parted; to sepparate; to split.
Jer. Taylor.
© Webster 1913. | 
