Noah Webster's New International Dictionary of the English Language

1. (v. t.) To separate into parts with force or sudden violence; to tear asunder; to split; to burst; as, powder rends a rock in blasting; lightning rends an oak.

2. (v. t.) To part or tear off forcibly; to take away by force.

3. (v. i.) To be rent or torn; to become parted; to separate; to split.