I.to pluck or tear in pieces, to rend, to mangle (class.).
I. Lit.: “animus nec secerni nec dividi nec discerpi nec distrahi potest,” Cic. Tusc. 1, 29, 71; cf. id. N. D. 1, 11, 27: “inter orgia Bacchi discerptum iuvenem sparsere per agros,” Verg. G. 4, 522: “aliquem,” Liv. 1, 16; Suet. Caes. 17: “semiustum cadaver (canes),” id. Dom. 15: “membra gruis,” Hor. S. 2, 8, 86 et saep.: “in parvas partīs aurum,” Lucr. 2, 829; Vulg. Judic. 4, 6 al.—
B. Transf., to scatter, disperse, destroy: “quae cuncta aërii discerpunt irrita venti,” Cat. 64, 142; cf. Verg. A. 9, 313.—
II. Trop.
A. In gen.: “divulsa et quasi discerpta contrectare,” Cic. de Or. 3, 6, 24: “rem quae proposita est, quasi in membra,” id. Top. 5, 28. —
B. In partic. (like carpo, II. B.; concerpo, II.), to tear in pieces with words, to revile: “me infestis dictis,” Cat. 66, 73; cf.: “lacerare carmina,” Ov. P. 4, 16, 1.
