Tear

TEAR, a drop of the liquid secretion of the lachrymal gland, constantly produced in a certain quantity and flowing through the nasal duct without notice, but, when stimulated by pain, emotion or artificial excitation, increasing so that it flows over the eyelids and runs down the cheeks and is the visible result of crying or weeping (see EYE). The O.E tear, taer, is represented in other Teutonic languages by Dan. taar; Swed. tar; Goth, lagr, &c. The O.H.G. was zahar; the mod. Ger. Ziihre was formed from the M.H.G. plural Zahere. The commoner word in Ger. Throne, cf. Du. traan, is closely allied. The original root is seen in Gr. SaKpv, Lat. lacrima, lacruma, for dacruma, whence Fr. larme, and It., Sp., and Port, lagrima.