1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Shear.

2. (n.) The act or operation of clipping with shears or a shearing machine, as the wool from sheep, or the nap from cloth.

3. (n.) The product of the act or operation of clipping with shears or a shearing machine; as, the whole shearing of a flock; the shearings from cloth.

4. (n.) Same as Shearling.

5. (n.) The act or operation of reaping.

6. (n.) The act or operation of dividing with shears; as, the shearing of metal plates.

7. (n.) The process of preparing shear steel; tilting.

8. (n.) The process of making a vertical side cutting in working into a face of coal.