I.v. a., to tear to pieces, to tear apart (mostly poet. and in post-Aug. prose).
I. Lit.: dilaceranda feris dabor, * Cat. 64, 152; cf. Ov. H. 12, 116: “dominum (canes),” id. M. 3, 250: “natum,” id. H. 11, 112: “muliebre corpus tormentis,” Tac. A. 15, 57: “aliquid (spiculā),” to lacerate, wound, Cels. 7, 5, 2: “leonem,” Vulg. Judic. 14, 6.—
II. Trop.: “annum integrum ad dilacerandam rem publicam quaerere,” Cic. Mil. 9, 24: “res publica dilacerata,” Sall. J. 41, 5 Kritz. (prob. an imitation of Thuc. 3, 82 fin.): “malis consultis animus dilaceratur,” Tac. A. 6, 6 fin.; cf. “opes,” Ov. H. 1, 90 Loers.: “gentem,” Vulg. Isa. 18, 2: “(dilaceravisti,” Plaut. Capt. 3, 5, 14 Fleck.; others, delac-).
