Divellicate

/daɪˈvɛlɪkeɪt/ verb

Definition

To tear or pull apart gently; to separate into small pieces by pulling or tearing.

Etymology

From Latin 'divellicatus', from 'divellcare' (to pull or tear apart), a diminutive or frequentative form of 'divellere'.

Kelly Says

This is an extremely rare word that appears almost nowhere in modern English, but it represents a lost sophistication—our ancestors had specific verbs for different types of tearing.

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