2. A fence of stakes, brushwood, or the like, set in a
stream, tideway, or inlet of the sea, for taking fish.
3. A long notch with a horizontal edge, as in the top of a
vertical plate or plank, through which water flows, --
used in measuring the quantity of flowing water.
2. To be wasted, consumed, or diminished, by being used; to
suffer injury, loss, or extinction by use or time; to
decay, or be spent, gradually. ``Thus wore out night.''
--Milton.
Away, I say; time wears. --Shak.
Thou wilt surely wear away, both thou and this
people that is with thee. --Ex. xviii.
18.
His stock of money began to wear very low. --Sir W.
Scott.
The family . . . wore out in the earlier part of the
century. --Beaconsfield.
{To wear off}, to pass away by degrees; as, the follies of
youth wear off with age.
{To wear on}, to pass on; as, time wears on. --G. Eliot.
{To wear weary}, to become weary, as by wear, long
occupation, tedious employment, etc.
What compass will you wear your farthingale? --Shak.
On her white breast a sparkling cross s?? wore,
Which Jews might kiss, and infidels adore. --Pope.
2. To have or exhibit an appearance of, as an aspect or
manner; to bear; as, she wears a smile on her countenance.
``He wears the rose of youth upon him.'' --Shak.
His innocent gestures wear A meaning half divine.
--Keble.
3. To use up by carrying or having upon one's self; hence, to
consume by use; to waste; to use up; as, to wear clothes
rapidly.
4. To impair, waste, or diminish, by continual attrition,
scraping, percussion, on the like; to consume gradually;
to cause to lower or disappear; to spend.
That wicked wight his days doth wear. --Spenser.
The waters wear the stones. --Job xiv. 19.
5. To cause or make by friction or wasting; as, to wear a
channel; to wear a hole.
6. To form or shape by, or as by, attrition.
Trials wear us into a liking of what, possibly, in
the first essay, displeased us. --Locke.
{To wear away}, to consume; to impair, diminish, or destroy,
by gradual attrition or decay.
{To wear off}, to diminish or remove by attrition or slow
decay; as, to wear off the nap of cloth.
{To wear on or upon}, to wear. [Obs.] ``[I] weared upon my
gay scarlet gites [gowns.]'' --Chaucer.
{To wear out}.
(a) To consume, or render useless, by attrition or decay;
as, to wear out a coat or a book.
(b) To consume tediously. ``To wear out miserable days.''
--Milton.
(c) To harass; to tire. ``[He] shall wear out the saints
of the Most High.'' --Dan vii. 25.
(d) To waste the strength of; as, an old man worn out in
military service.
{To wear the breeches}. See under {Breeches}. [Colloq.]
2. The thing worn; style of dress; the fashion.
Motley 's the only wear. --Shak.
{Wear and tear}, the loss by wearing, as of machinery in use;
the loss or injury to which anything is subjected by use,
accident, etc.