Where does “torn” come from?
Torn comes from Middle English toren, past participle of teren, derived from Proto-Indo-European der-, meaning to split or flay, ultimately from dóru meaning wood or tree.
torn (English): past participle of tear
Ancestry of “torn”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|
| 1 | English | tear | To rend by holding or restraining in two places... |
| 2 | Middle English | tear | Alternative form of tere |
| 3 | Old English | teagor | — |
| 4 | Proto-West Germanic | tah(h)r | tear |
| 5 | Proto-Germanic | tahrą | tear |
| 6 | Proto-Indo-European | dáḱru- | tears; tear |
| 7 | Proto-Indo-European | dr̥ḱ-h₂eḱru- | eye bitter |