Emily Dickinson Lexicon

TEAR, n.¹ [Gaelic, dear, deur; Goth. tagr, contracted in Sax. tear; G. zähre; Sw. tår; Dan. taare; W. daigyr; Gr. δακρυ; from flowing or pouring forth; Ar. تَاقَ tauka, to burst forth, as tears, or وَدَقَ wadaka, to drop or distil. See Class Dg, No. 16, 24, 48, 63.]

1. Tears are the limpid fluid secreted by the lacrymal gland, and appearing in the eyes, or flowing from them. A tear, in the singular, is a drop or a small quantity of that fluid. Tears are excited by passions, particularly by grief. This fluid is also called forth by any injury done to the eye. It serves to moisten the cornea and preserve its transparency, and to remove any dust or fine substance that enters the eye and gives pain.
2. Something in the form of a transparent drop of fluid matter.