The word "shears" is spelled with the participle ending "-ears," which makes it unique from other words with the "sheer" sound. The IPA phonetic transcription for "shears" is /ʃɪərz/, where the first symbol /ʃ/ represents the "sh" sound, followed by /ɪə/ which represents the "eer" sound, and the final symbol /z/ represents the plural ending. This spelling reflects the word's meaning, which is to cut or clip something with a pair of scissors or shears.
Shears are a type of cutting tool made up of two sharp blades that are hinged or riveted together near the handle. They are primarily used for cutting through various materials such as fabric, paper, hair, or light metal. The blades of shears are typically long and slender, with one straight edge and one serrated edge. The serrated edge helps to grip the material being cut, providing more control and preventing slippage.
Shears come in various sizes, with smaller ones typically used for precise tasks like trimming hair or cutting fabric, while larger ones are suitable for heavy-duty cutting such as pruning bushes or cutting through thick cardboard. Some shears also have adjustable tension screws, allowing users to customize the tightness of the blades.
Although shears are commonly associated with cutting tasks in household and craft settings, they also have many specialized applications. For instance, gardening shears, also known as pruning shears or hedge shears, are uniquely designed with longer blades and sometimes extendable handles for easily trimming plants. Additionally, electric shears exist for effortless cutting of tougher materials like metal wire or cable.
Overall, shears are a versatile tool utilized in an array of industries and are valued for their ability to make precise, clean cuts in different materials.
• A cutting instrument.
• A cutting instr. of two blades which move on a pivot and act against each other; anything in the form of shears, or which acts as shears; two or more long pieces of timber whose ends are fastened together at the top, but spread at the bottom, used when furnished with tackling to raise heavy weights.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
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The word "shears" comes from the Old English word "scear", which itself traces back to the Proto-Germanic word "skērō". This word has its origins in the Proto-Indo-European root "sker-", meaning "to cut". The Old English word "scear" originally referred to a "cutting instrument" or a "pair of scissors". Over time, it evolved into the Middle English word "shears" with the same meaning, referring to a tool with two blades used for cutting various materials.