Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Shear \Shear\, v. t. [imp. {Sheared}or {Shore};p. p. {Sheared}
   or {Shorn}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Shearing}.] [OE. sheren,
   scheren, to shear, cut, shave, AS. sceran, scieran, scyran;
   akin to D. & G. scheren, Icel. skera, Dan. ski?re, Gr. ???.
   Cf. {Jeer}, {Score}, {Shard}, {Share}, {Sheer} to turn
   aside.]
   1. To cut, clip, or sever anything from with shears or a like
      instrument; as, to shear sheep; to shear cloth.

   Note: It is especially applied to the cutting of wool from
         sheep or their skins, and the nap from cloth.

   2. To separate or sever with shears or a similar instrument;
      to cut off; to clip (something) from a surface; as, to
      shear a fleece.

            Before the golden tresses . . . were shorn away.
                                                  --Shak.

   3. To reap, as grain. [Scot.] --Jamieson.

   4. Fig.: To deprive of property; to fleece.

   5. (Mech.) To produce a change of shape in by a shear. See
      {Shear}, n., 4.

Shearing \Shear"ing\, n.
   1. The act or operation of clipping with shears or a shearing
      machine, as the wool from sheep, or the nap from cloth.

   2. The product of the act or operation of clipping with
      shears or a shearing machine; as, the whole shearing of a
      flock; the shearings from cloth.

   3. Same as {Shearling}. --Youatt.

   4. The act or operation of reaping. [Scot.]

   5. The act or operation of dividing with shears; as, the
      shearing of metal plates.

   6. The process of preparing shear steel; tilting.

   7. (Mining) The process of making a vertical side cutting in
      working into a face of coal.

   {Shearing machine}.
      (a) A machine with blades, or rotary disks, for dividing
          plates or bars of metal.
      (b) A machine for shearing cloth.

Source : WordNet®

shearing
     n : removing by cutting off or clipping