wear1
  
  v.
 (past wore; past part. worn  
/wɔːn/
)
          - have (something) on one's body or a part of one's body as clothing, decoration, or protection.
- exhibit or present (a particular facial expression or appearance).
- undergo or cause to undergo damage or destruction by friction or use. ▸form (a hole, path, etc.) in this way. 
- withstand continued use to a specified degree:![]()  the fabric wears well wash after wash. 
- 
(wear off)
 lose effectiveness or intensity.
- 
(wear someone/thing down)
 overcome someone or something by persistence.
- 
(wear someone/thing out)
 exhaust someone or something. ▸
[as adj. wearing]
 mentally or physically tiring. 
- 
[usu. with neg.]
 Brit. informal tolerate or accept.
- 
(wear on)
 (of time) pass slowly or tediously.
- (of a ship) fly (a flag).
n.
   - the action of wearing or the state of being worn.
- clothing suitable for a particular purpose or of a particular type:![]()  evening wear. 
- damage sustained from continuous use. ▸the capacity for withstanding such damage. 
Phrase
  
    
      - wear thin
 gradually dwindle or be used up.
 
  Derivative
  
    - wearability n.
- wearable adj.
- wearer n.
- wearingly adv.
 
  Etymology
  OE werian, of Gmc origin.
 
  
    
wear2
  
  v.
 (past and past part. wore)
 Sailing  bring (a ship) about by turning its head away from the wind.
Etymology
  C17: of unknown origin.