wear1
¦ verb (past wore; past participle worn w?:n)
1. have (something) on one's body or a part of one's body as clothing, decoration, or protection.
2. exhibit or present (a particular facial expression or appearance).
3. undergo or cause to undergo damage or destruction by friction or use.
form (a hole, path, etc.) in this way.
4. withstand continued use to a specified degree: the fabric wears well wash after wash.
5. (wear off) lose effectiveness or intensity.
6. (wear someone/thing down) overcome someone or something by persistence.
7. (wear someone/thing out) exhaust someone or something.
[as adjective wearing] mentally or physically tiring.
8. [usu. with negative] Brit. informal tolerate or accept.
9. (wear on) (of time) pass slowly or tediously.
10. (of a ship) fly (a flag).
¦ noun
1. the action of wearing or the state of being worn.
2. clothing suitable for a particular purpose or of a particular type: evening wear.
3. damage sustained from continuous use.
the capacity for withstanding such damage.
Phrases
wear thin gradually dwindle or be used up.
Derivatives
wearability noun
wearable adjective
wearer noun
wearingly adverb
Origin
OE werian, of Gmc origin.
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wear2
¦ verb (past and past participle wore) Sailing bring (a ship) about by turning its head away from the wind.
Origin
C17: of unknown origin.