SHEARS  , an

implement for cutting or clipping . The O . Eng. sceran, to clip, cut, represents one branch of a very large number of words in Indo-European languages which are to be referred to the root skar-, to cut, and of which may be mentioned Gr . Keipely, Lat. curtus, Eng . " short," " share," " sherd," " score." For cutting cloth " shears " take the form of a large, heavy pair of scissors with two crossed flat blades pivoted together, each with a looped handle for the insertion of the fingers; for clipping or " shearing " sheep the usual form is a single' piece of steel bent round, the ends being shaped into the cutting blades, and the bend or " bow " forming a spring which opens the blades when the pressure used in cutting is released . Another form of the same word, " sheers," is used of an apparatus for hoisting heavy weights, generally known as " sheer-legs." These consist of two or more uprights meeting at the top, where the hoisting tackle is placed, and set wide apart at the bottom . The masting of shipswas formerly carried out from another vessel, a dismasted hulk, hence called a " sheer-hulk," on which the " sheer-legs " were placed (see CRANE) . From this word must be distinguished " sheer," straight, precipitous, also absolute, downright; this is to be connected with Dan. skjaer, clear, bright, Ger. schier, free, clear; the root is also seen in O . Eng. scinan, to shine . The nautical phrase " to sheer off," to deviate from a course, is due to a similar Dutch use of scheren, to cut, shear, to cut off a course abruptly .