wear

[[t]wɛər[/t]]

v. wore, worn, wear•ing, n.

1) to carry or have on the body or about the person as a covering, support, ornament, or the like:

to wear a coat; to wear a wig[/ex]

2) to bear or have in one's aspect or appearance:

to wear a smile[/ex]

3) to cause to deteriorate, diminish, or waste by some constant or repetitive action:

The waves have worn these rocks[/ex]

4) to make (a hole, channel, way, etc.) by such action

5) to consume gradually by use or any continued process:

Illness had worn the bloom from her cheeks[/ex]

6) to weary; fatigue; exhaust

7) to pass (time) gradually or tediously (usu. fol. by away or out)

8) naut. Naut. to bring (a vessel) on another tack by turning until the wind is on the stern

9) to undergo gradual impairment, diminution, reduction, etc., from use, attrition, or other causes

10) to retain shape, color, firmness, etc., under continued use or strain:

a strong fabric that will wear[/ex]

11) (of time) to pass, esp. slowly or tediously (often fol. by on or away):

As the day wore on, we grew more discouraged[/ex]

12) phv wear down

a) to make or become shabbier, smaller, or more aged by wearing:

to wear down the heels of one's shoes[/ex]

b) to make or become weary; tire

c) to prevail upon or over by persistence; overcome:

to wear down the opposition[/ex]

13) phv wear off, to diminish slowly or gradually or to diminish in effect; disappear:

The drug began to wear off[/ex]

14) phv wear out

a) to make or become unfit or useless through hard or extended use:

to wear out clothes[/ex]

b) to expend, consume, or remove, esp. slowly or gradually

c) to exhaust, as by continued strain; weary

15) the act of wearing; use, as of a garment:

articles for winter wear[/ex]

16) the state of being worn, as on the person

17) clo clothing or other articles for wearing, esp. for a particular function, fashion, or type of person (often used in combination):

sleepwear; sportswear[/ex]

18) gradual impairment, wasting, diminution, etc., as from use

19) the quality of resisting deterioration with use; durability

•

- wear thin

Etymology: bef. 900; ME weren to have (clothes) on, waste, damage, OE werian, c. OS werian, OHG werien, ON verja, Go wasjan to clothe; akin to L vestis clothing (see vest) wear′er, n.