Shear is a form of structural failure. A component fails by shearing when it splits into two parts that slide past each other. See shear stress and shear strength.
In the skin shear is the movement of the epidermis over the underlying dermis producing friction, tearing and spliting of the layers. In some cases it can produce hyperkeratosis or rapid skin growth in the area of shear.
In clothing design, fabric may be cut on the shear. This is done by placing the patterns at 45 degrees to the weave of the fabric. Clothing cut on the shear is less stiff and follows the shape of the wearer's body more closely than clothing cut parallel to the weave.
Wind shear is a difference in wind speed or direction between two wind currents in the atmosphere.
In lockpicking a cylinder lock, the shear line is where the inner cylinder ends and the outer cylinder begins.
Sheep-shearing is the process of removing the wool from a sheep.
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