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

Definitions

  1. past participle of tear

Ancestry of “torn”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishtearTo rend by holding or restraining in two places...
2Middle EnglishtearAlternative form of tere
3Old Englishteagor—
4Proto-West Germanictah(h)rtear
5Proto-Germanictahrątear
6Proto-Indo-Europeandáḱru-tears; tear
7Proto-Indo-Europeandr̥ḱ-h₂eḱru-eye bitter
Every word from Proto-Indo-European dr̥ḱ-h₂eḱru- →