[erase] vb erased ; eras.ing [L erasus, pp. of eradere, fr. e- + radere to scratch, scrape--more at rodent] vt (1605) 1 a: to rub or scrape out (as written, painted, or engraved letters) b: to remove (recorded matter) from a magnetic medium; also: to remove recorded matter from "~ a videotape" c: to delete from a computer storage device
2. a: to remove from existence or memory as if by erasing b: to nullify the effect or force of ~ vi: to yield to being erased -- eras.abil.i.ty n -- eras.able adj