I. ˈwer verb
( wore ˈwȯr ; worn ˈwȯrn ; wear·ing )
Etymology: Middle English weren, from Old English werian; akin to Old Norse verja to clothe, invest, spend, Latin vestis clothing, garment, Greek hennynai to clothe
Date: before 12th century
transitive verb
1. : to bear or have on the person
wore a coat
2.
a. : to use habitually for clothing, adornment, or assistance
wear s a size 10
wear glasses
b. : to carry on the person
wear a sword
3.
a. : to hold the rank or dignity or position signified by (an ornament)
wear the royal crown
b. : exhibit , present
wore a happy smile
commend the book for wear ing its research so lightly — Brad Leithauser
c. : to show or fly (a flag or colors) on a ship
4.
a. : to cause to deteriorate by use
b. : to impair or diminish by use or attrition : consume or waste gradually
letters on the stone worn away by weathering
5. : to produce gradually by friction or attrition
wear a hole in the rug
6. : to exhaust or lessen the strength of : weary , fatigue
7. : to cause (a ship) to go about with the stern presented to the wind
8. British : to accept or tolerate without complaint : put up with — usually used in negative constructions
your mates wouldn't wear it — Colin MacInnes
9. : take on 3a
intransitive verb
1.
a. : to endure use : last under use or the passage of time
material that will wear for years
b. : to retain quality or vitality
the classics wear well
2.
a. : to diminish or decay through use
the heels of his shoes began to wear
b. : to diminish or fail with the passage of time
the effect of the drug wore off
the day wore on
c. : to grow or become by attrition or use
the blade wore dull
3. of a ship : to change to an opposite tack by turning the stern to the wind — compare tack
• wear·er noun
•
- wear on
- wear the trousers
- wear thin
II. noun
Date: 15th century
1. : the act of wearing : the state of being worn : use
clothes for everyday wear
2.
a. : clothing or an article of clothing usually of a particular kind ; especially : clothing worn for a special occasion or popular during a specific period
b. : fashion , vogue
3. : wearing quality : durability under use
4. : the result of wearing or use : diminution or impairment due to use
wear -resistant surface