wearn.
/wɛː/, U.S. /wɛ(ə)r/ I. The action of wearing or carrying, and related uses.figurative.1704 J. Swift Disc. Mech. Operat. Spirit in Tale of Tub 284 Now, Sir, to proceed after the Method in present Wear.1853 C. Dickens Bleak House xix. 184 Assuredly that shield and buckler of Britannia are not in present wear.
1. † c. Use, the using or making use (of a utensil). Obsolete.
a. The action of wearing or carrying on the person (an article of clothing, an ornament, a watch, sword, or the like); the condition or fact of being worn or carried upon the person.
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > wearing clothing > [noun]
wearingc1400
wear1464
1464 Rolls of Parl. V. 567/2 The best and lightest Tymbre to make of Patyns and Clogges, and moost esiest for the were of all estate.
16.. Bell my Wiffe 26 in Percy Fol. MS. II. 323 My cloake itt was a verry good cloake, it hath beene alwayes good to the weare.
1713 R. Steele in Guardian 25 Sept. 1/2 'Tis a Demonstration, that they have more [Woollen Goods] than is sufficient for their own Wear.
1716 J. Perry State of Russia 74 The wear of Furs is a great Fashion in China.
1757 W. Burke Acct. European Settlem. Amer. II. vii. v. 161 I have seen cloths made there, which..were..as far as I could judge, superior for the ordinary wear of country people, to any thing we make in England.
1818 2nd Rep. Minutes of Evid. Ribbon Weavers 178 in Parl. Papers (H.C. 211 & 278) IX. 53 Every one who visits France brings over some [articles of manufactured silk] for their own wear.
1903 R. Barr Over Border i. vi. 66 His costume..hung, loosely unfitting, about a frame that had become gaunt since its wear began.
1912 Daily Graphic 31 Dec. 13/2 A charming coat for restaurant wear.
b. the worse for wear: deteriorated through wearing (cf. wearing n.1 3); drunk. See also worse adj. 4c.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > condition of matter > bad condition of matter > deteriorated in condition [phrase] > worn
the worse for wear1782
the world > food and drink > drink > thirst > excess in drinking > [adjective] > drunk
fordrunkenc897
drunkena1050
cup-shottenc1330
drunka1400
inebriate1497
overseenc1500
liquor1509
fou1535
nase?1536
full1554
intoxicate1554
tippled1564
intoxicated1576
pepst1577
overflown1579
whip-cat1582
pottical1586
cup-shota1593
fox-drunk1592
lion-drunk1592
nappy1592
sack-sopped1593
in drink1598
disguiseda1600
drink-drowned1600
daggeda1605
pot-shotten1604
tap-shackled1604
high1607
bumpsy1611
foxed1611
in one's cups1611
liquored1611
love-pot1611
pot-sick1611
whift1611
owl-eyed1613
fapa1616
hota1616
inebriated1615
reeling ripea1616
in one's (or the) pots1618
scratched1622
high-flown?1624
pot-shot1627
temulentive1628
ebrious1629
temulent1629
jug-bitten1630
pot-shaken1630
toxed1635
bene-bowsiea1637
swilled1637
paid1638
soaken1651
temulentious1652
flagonal1653
fuddled1656
cut1673
nazzy1673
concerned1678
whittled1694
suckey1699
well-oiled1701
tippeda1708
tow-row1709
wet1709
swash1711
strut1718
cocked1737
cockeyed1737
jagged1737
moon-eyed1737
rocky1737
soaked1737
soft1737
stewed1737
stiff1737
muckibus1756
groggy1770
muzzeda1788
muzzya1795
slewed1801
lumpy1810
lushy1811
pissed1812
blue1813
lush1819
malty1819
sprung1821
three sheets in the wind1821
obfuscated1822
moppy1823
ripe1823
mixed1825
queer1826
rosined1828
shot in the neck1830
tight1830
rummy1834
inebrious1837
mizzled1840
obflisticated1840
grogged1842
pickled1842
swizzled1843
hit under the wing1844
obfusticatedc1844
ebriate1847
pixilated1848
boozed1850
ploughed1853
squiffy?1855
buffy1858
elephant trunk1859
scammered1859
gassed1863
fly-blown1864
rotten1864
shot1864
ebriose1871
shicker1872
parlatic1877
miraculous1879
under the influence1879
ginned1881
shickered1883
boiled1886
mosy1887
to be loaded for bear(s)1888
squiffeda1890
loaded1890
oversparred1890
sozzled1892
tanked1893
orey-eyed1895
up the (also a) pole1897
woozy1897
toxic1899
polluted1900
lit-up1902
on (also upon) one's ear1903
pie-eyed1903
pifflicated1905
piped1906
spiflicated1906
jingled1908
skimished1908
tin hat1909
canned1910
pipped1911
lit1912
peloothered1914
molo1916
shick1916
zigzag1916
blotto1917
oiled-up1918
stung1919
stunned1919
bottled1922
potted1922
rotto1922
puggled1923
puggle1925
fried1926
crocked1927
fluthered1927
lubricated1927
whiffled1927
liquefied1928
steamed1929
mirackc1930
overshot1931
swacked1932
looped1934
stocious1937
whistled1938
sauced1939
mashed1942
plonked1943
stone1945
juiced1946
buzzed1952
jazzed1955
schnockered1955
honkers1957
skunked1958
bombed1959
zonked1959
bevvied1960
mokus1960
snockered1961
plotzed1962
over the limit1966
the worse for wear1966
wasted1968
wired1970
zoned1971
blasted1972
Brahms and Liszt?1972
funked up1976
trousered1977
motherless1980
tired and emotional1981
ratted1982
rat-arsed1984
wazzed1990
mullered1993
twatted1993
bollocksed1994
lashed1996
1782 W. Cowper Hist. John Gilpin in Public Advertiser 14 Nov. A Hat not much the worse for Wear.
1857 C. M. Yonge Dynevor Terrace II. xvii. 270 His boots were less polished..and he looked somewhat the worse for wear.
1880 ‘Ouida’ Moths I. ii. 32 The statuette..never seemed the worse for wear.
1936 J. Buchan Island of Sheep iii. 44 When I came across him in Persia..he was rather the worse for wear.
1966 D. Francis Flying Finish x. 127 You'll be kicking your heels about the airport for a few hours. Don't let any of them get…er…the worse for wear.
1977 M. Allen Spence in Petal Park xix. 87 The blonde girl left about ten, looking distinctly the worse for wear.
1982 T. Berger Reinhart's Women iii. 46 The vehicles in view were routine automobiles, two of them the worse for wear, with dents and rust and jagged antenna-stems.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > advantage > usefulness > use (made of things) > [noun]
bihofthc1175
use?c1225
usinga1340
notingc1400
usage?c1400
occupationa1425
employment1437
employing1459
usancec1475
occupying1535
trade1552
wear1571
usury1607
adoperation1608
use-making1608
improvement1620
employ1677
exploiting1842
utilization1847
nuse1848
utilizing1864
1571 Aldeburgh Rec. in Notes & Queries 12th Ser. VII. 185/1 For ye wear of a kettil and a trevet xiid.
2. to be in wear: (a) (of an article of clothing, an ornament, etc.) to be actually on the person of the wearer; (also) to be (still) habitually worn by a person, not to have been discarded; (similarly of a person) to have in wear; (b) (of a kind or style of garment, etc.) to be worn by people generally; to be in vogue or fashion; (similarly) to come into wear.
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > [verb (intransitive)] > be worn > by people generally
weara1616
to be in wear1704
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > [verb (intransitive)] > be worn > habitually
to be in wear1704
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > [verb (intransitive)] > be worn > be actually on the person
to be in wear1704
1786 A. M. Bennett Juvenile Indiscretions III. 106 Sophia, do you know patches are coming into wear again?
1799 G. Washington Let. in Writings (1893) XIV. 150 If there are any handsome cockades (but not whimsically foolish) in wear,..I should be glad if they were sent with the eagles fixed thereon.
1809 W. Irving Hist. N.Y. I. ii. ii. 85 Several gigantic knee buckles of massy silver, are still in wear, that made such gallant display in the days of the patriarchs of Communipaw.
1851 H. Mayhew London Labour II. 33/1 If there be any part of silk in a dress not suitable for any of these purposes it is wasted, or what is accounted wasted, although it may have been in wear for years.
1855 C. Dickens Holly-tree Inn: Guest in Househ. Words Extra Christmas No. 8/2 The lesser road-side Inns of Italy; where all the dirty clothes in the house (not in wear) are always lying in your ante-room.
3.
a. What one wears or should wear; the thing or things worn or proper to be worn at a particular time or in certain circumstances.
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > [noun]
clothesc888
hattersOE
shroudc1000
weedOE
shrouda1122
clothc1175
hatteringa1200
atourc1220
back-clout?c1225
habit?c1225
clothingc1275
cleadinga1300
dubbinga1300
shroudinga1300
attirec1300
coverturec1300
suitc1325
apparel1330
buskingc1330
farec1330
harness1340
tire1340
backs1341
geara1350
apparelmentc1374
attiringa1375
vesturec1385
heelinga1387
vestmentc1386
arraya1400
graitha1400
livery1399
tirementa1400
warnementa1400
arrayment1400
parelc1400
werlec1400
raiment?a1425
robinga1450
rayc1450
implements1454
willokc1460
habiliment1470
emparelc1475
atourement1481
indumenta1513
reparel1521
wearing gear1542
revesture1548
claesc1550
case1559
attirement1566
furniture1566
investuring1566
apparelling1567
dud1567
hilback1573
wear1576
dress1586
enfolding1586
caparison1589
plight1590
address1592
ward-ware1598
garnish1600
investments1600
ditement1603
dressing1603
waith1603
thing1605
vestry1606
garb1608
outwall1608
accoutrementa1610
wearing apparel1617
coutrement1621
vestament1632
vestiment1637
equipage1645
cask1646
aguise1647
back-timbera1656
investiture1660
rigging1664
drapery1686
vest1694
plumage1707
bussingc1712
hull1718
paraphernalia1736
togs1779
body clothing1802
slough1808
toggery1812
traps1813
garniture1827
body-clothes1828
garmenture1832
costume1838
fig1839
outfit1840
vestiture1841
outer womana1845
outward man1846
vestiary1846
rag1855
drag1870
clo'1874
parapherna1876
clobber1879
threads1926
mocker1939
schmatte1959
vine1959
kit1989
1576 W. Lambarde Perambulation of Kent 12 Makers of coloured woollen clothes:..from whome is drawne..sufficient stoare to furnishe the weare of the best sort of our owne nation.
1581 A. Hall tr. Homer 10 Bks. Iliades x. 180 And without crest or plume at all his morian on [he] doth pull, Of bullish hyde, a yong mans weare, men do it call a scul.
1601 B. Jonson Fountaine of Selfe-love i. iv. sig. C3 Amo. Your Rose too do's most grace-fully in troath. Asot. Tis the most gentile and receiu'd Weare now Sir. View more context for this quotation
a1616 W. Shakespeare As you like It (1623) ii. vii. 34 Motley's the onely weare . View more context for this quotation
a1616 W. Shakespeare Winter's Tale (1623) iv. iv. 318 Will you buy..Any Silke, any Thred, any Toyes for your head Of the news't and fins't, fins't weare-a. View more context for this quotation
a1625 F. Beaumont & J. Fletcher Knight of Malta ii. i, in Comedies & Trag. (1647) sig. Kkkkk2v/.2 What's in that pack there? 1 Soul. 'Tis English Cloth. Nor. That's a good weare indeed, Both strong, and rich.
1651 J. Cleveland News from Newcastle 130 in Wks. (1687) 290 Our Wear's plain Out-side, but is richly lin'd.
1688 R. Holme Acad. Armory iii. 257/2 It is a wear amongst little Children with us to this day.
1796 J. Morse Amer. Universal Geogr. (new ed.) II. 166 A particular kind of flowered and striped lawns, which are a cheap and fashionable wear.
1812 W. Taylor in Monthly Mag. 33 229 It has occasionally been questioned whether hats or turbans were the prevailing wear.
1860 W. M. Thackeray Ribbons in Roundabout Papers (1876) 18 The Great Duke's theory was..that for common people your plain coat without stars and ribbons, was the most sensible wear.
1865 in G. Hill Hist. Dress (1893) II. 261 Little insects of all kinds, especially flies, are good wear in bonnets.
1885 Manch. Examiner 5 June 5/6 Their cotton gowns are much cooler wear in the broiling weather of the present week than the warm Welsh woollens.
1902 Times 29 July 11/3 The makers..are fairly well supplied with orders, men's wear excepted.
b. transferred and figurative.
ΚΠ
a1616 W. Shakespeare Measure for Measure (1623) iii. i. 340 Clo. I hope Sir, your good Worship wil be my baile? Luc. No indeed wil I not Pompey, it is not the wear . View more context for this quotation
1743 E. Young Complaint: Night the Fifth 48 Hence burly Corpulence Is his familiar Wear, and sleek Disguise.
1847 L. Hunt Men, Women, & Bks. I. xiv. 232 Meeting one day with a lovely face that had flaxen locks about it, we thought for a good while after, that flaxen was your only wear.
1876 C. L. Smith tr. T. Tasso Jerusalem Delivered iii. vii Each from his head removes the bauble there Of silk or gold,..Each doffs too from his heart its haughty wear.
4.
a. Capacity for being worn or for further advantageous use.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > advantage > usefulness > use (made of things) > [noun] > repeated or continuous use > capacity for
wear1699
1699 A. Boyer Royal Dict. (at cited word) A Stuff of good Wear, une Etoffe d'un bon usé.
1881 Punch 26 Feb. 94/1 The shoe that has still wear in it.
1901 T. J. Alldridge Sherbro xxviii. 339 The native-made cloths..of never-ending wear.
b. Advantage of continued wearing.
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > wearing clothing > [noun] > advantage of continued wearing
wear1836
1836 C. Hooton Bilberry Thurland I. ii. 35 I've had more wear out of this one waistcoat, than any hafe dozen agen.
II. The process of being worn away, and related uses.
5.
a. The process or condition of being worn or gradually reduced in bulk or impaired in quality by continued use, friction, attrition, exposure to atmospheric or other natural destructive agencies; loss or diminution of substance or deterioration of quality due to these causes.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > condition of matter > bad condition of matter > [noun] > loss of material > wearing away
wearing1473
erosion?1541
forwearing1609
wear1729
fret1822
1729 T. Prior Observ. Coin 14 This Scarcity will be farther increased by the Wear of Silver Coins, which has lessened their Weights considerably.
1730 Conduitt Observ. Coins (1774) 51 The telling money on wood, especially with a mixture of sand, very much encreases the wear.
1791 J. Smeaton Narr. Edystone Lighthouse §321 I then saw the coast was in a state of wear.
1797 Monthly Mag. 3 546 The foundation should be covered to the depth that is necessary to sustain the wear to which the road is subject.
1869 F. Kohn Iron & Steel Manuf. 90 The saw, not being constantly in use, is driven by an independent engine to save the wear of its bearings.
1891 W. H. Flower Horse iii. 115 The shape of the table alters as the wear of the tooth proceeds.
1894 A. M. Bell in Jrnl. Anthropol. Inst. 23 273 So also with surface finds; if they possess definite characteristics of form, of wear, of weather,..of position when found, each of which places them in a class by themselves.
b. transferred and figurative.
ΚΠ
1882 C. H. Spurgeon Treasury of David VI. Ps. cxix. 20. 51 They [sc. desires for holiness] cause a wear of heart, a straining of the mind.
1899 T. C. Allbutt et al. Syst. Med. VIII. 311 Those who..are already showing signs of wear in their nervous systems.
6.
a. wear and tear n. wearing or damage due to ordinary usage; deterioration in the condition of a thing through constant use or service. Also (less usual) tear and wear: see tear and wear at tear n.2 1.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > condition of matter > bad condition of matter > [noun] > wear resulting from use
slite1614
wear and tear1666
worn-outness1844
frazzle1865
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > fighting sports > boxing > [noun] > qualities of boxer
forte1815
wear and tear1834
reach1840
1666 S. Pepys Diary 29 Sept. (1972) VII. 301 The wages, victuals, wear, and tear, cast by the Medium of the men, will come to above three Millions.
1691 W. Petty Treat. Naval Philos. in T. Hale Acct. New Inventions 119 Wear and tear of Ground-Tackle.
1699 N. Luttrell Diary in Brief Hist. Relation State Affairs (1857) IV. 595 Allowing 4l. a man per mensem for ware and tear, charge of the ordnance included.
1702 T. Savery Miner's Friend 64 A Work..that cost forty-two shillings per diem..besides Ware and Tare of Engines.
1776 A. Smith Inq. Wealth of Nations I. i. iii. 23 Upon two hundred tons of goods..must be charged..wear and tear of four hundred horses. View more context for this quotation
1834 F. Marryat Jacob Faithful I. i. 2 A pair of shoes may have lasted her for five years, for the wear and tear that she took out of them.
1839 W. B. Stonehouse Hist. Isle of Axholme 46 It is difficult to calculate the daily wear and tear of four horses, straining through the thick mud, breaking the gears, and almost pulling the waggon to pieces.
1867 W. H. Smyth & E. Belcher Sailor's Word-bk. Wear and Tear, the decay and deterioration of the hull, spars, sails, ropes, and other stores of a ship in the course of a voyage.
1868 A. P. Stanley Hist. Mem. Westm. Abbey (ed. 2) 508 The wear-and-tear of four centuries..had rendered this venerable building quite unfit for its purpose.
1902 Act 2 Edward VII c. 42 §7 (d) Such damage as the local authority consider to be due to fair wear and tear in the use of any room in the school house.
b. transferred and figurative.
ΚΠ
1678 S. Butler Hudibras: Third Pt. iii. i. 68 That in return, would pay th'expence, The Wear-and-tear of Conscience.
1791 J. Boswell Life Johnson anno 1775 I. 515 [Johnson:] You are not to wonder at that; no man's face has had more wear and tear.
1806 J. Beresford Miseries Human Life I. ii. 38 There is not a whit less wear and tear to the nerves.
1828 T. B. Macaulay Hallam's Constit. Hist. in Edinb. Rev. Sept. 156 Mr. Hallam..scarcely makes sufficient allowance for the wear and tear which honesty almost necessarily sustains in the friction of political life.
1847 C. Dickens Dombey & Son (1848) xxv. 253 Unequal to the wear and tear of daily life, as he had often professed himself to be.
1888 M. Arnold Ess. Crit. 2nd Ser. vi. 166 Nay, I doubt whether his [Shelley's] delightful Essays and Letters..will not resist the wear and tear of time better..than his poetry.
c. wear-and tear-pigment (Biochemistry) [translating German abnutzungspigment] : a pigment that accumulates in cells as they age.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > biology > substance > pigment > [noun] > human or animal pigments > others
urohaematin1863
respiratory pigment1877
stercobilin1880
oxyluciferin1919
wear-and tear-pigment1928
photopigment1937
porphyropsin1937
erythrolabe1958
cryptochrome1978
1928 Amer. Jrnl. Pathol. 4 236 This pigment (lipofuscin) was recognized by Lubarsch who classified it along with melanin as ‘wear-and-tear’ pigment (Abnutzungspigmente).
1943 Jrnl. Compar. Neurol. 78 45 It would be better to abandon the attempt to group all these substances [from different tissues] under the common term ‘wear-and-tear’ pigment.
1968 R. Passmore & J. S. Robson Compan. Med. Stud. I. xiii. 16/1 Lipofuscin, one of the commonest cellular pigments, is known by a variety of names (wear and tear pigment, haemofuscin, lipochrome, brown atrophy and age pigment), a selection which demonstrates its complexity as well as ignorance of its function, and indicates that it contains some lipid and some iron.
7. Pugilism. (See quots.)
ΚΠ
1819 Sporting Mag. N.S. III. 231 It was who should stay upon the wear-out game in the rain the longest.
1832 P. Egan Bk. Sports 45/1 Bravo, Neal—he must win it—he has too much wear-and-tear for Gaynor.
III. In carpentry.
8. The anterior surface of the lower part of the mouth of a carpenter's plane.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > equipment > shaping tools or equipment > plane > [noun] > other parts of plane
wedge1678
shooting-block1812
shooting-board1846
wear1853
chip breaker1870
mitre board1874
1853 C. Tomlinson Cycl. Useful Arts (1854) II. 420/2 The narrow opening between the face of the iron and the line m w′ is termed the mouth of the plane; the line m w′ is called the wear: the angle between the mouth and the wear should be as small as possible, so that as the sole wears away,..the mouth may not be too much enlarged.
Compounds
C1. attributive and in other combinations, as wear-resistance, wear-resisting; wear-proof, wear-resistant, wear-resisting adjs.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > materials > types of material generally > [adjective] > resistant to wear
wear-resisting1897
wear-proof1921
wear-resistant1960
society > occupation and work > materials > types of material generally > working qualities of materials > [noun]
fusibility1624
malleability1644
fusibleness1684
pliability1725
plasticity1727
impermeability1755
unvitrescibility1786
vitrescibility1786
workableness1791
refractoriness1805
pumpability1881
permeability1882
mouldability1890
alkalinity1892
machinability1921
paintability1926
spinnability1939
processability1941
wear-resistance1946
extrudability1981
1897 Sears, Roebuck Catal. No. 104. 183/2 This suit..is regular wear-resisting goods.
1921 Daily Colonist (Victoria, Brit. Columbia) 9 Apr. 7/1 Wearproof Suits for Boys. Specially selected materials and extra care in the making of these suits enable them to give every wearing satisfaction.
1943 U.S. Patents Q. LVI. 494/2 Wear-resisting, anti-fatigue, and shock-absorbing properties are relative and not absolute terms.
1946 Nature 5 Oct. 476/2 The advantage of these new processes is that the weight and wear-resistance of the fabrics are increased.
1960 Farmer & Stockbreeder 29 Mar. (Suppl.) 4/1 A wear-resistant outer lining.
C2.
wear-dated adj. (see quot. 1968).
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > types or styles of clothing > [adjective] > other
smalleOE
lightc1230
round1402
side-necked1430
wanton1489
Spanish1530
tucked1530
lustya1555
civil1582
open-breasted1598
full1601
everlasting1607
sheeten1611
nothinga1616
burly1651
pin-up1677
slouching1691
double-breasted1701
negligée1718
translated1727
uniform1746
undress1777
single-breasted1796
unworn1798
mamalone1799
costumic1801
safeguard1822
Tom and Jerry1830
lightweight1837
fancy dress1844
wrap-1845
hen-skin1846
Mary Stuart1846
well-cut1849
mousquetaire1851
empire1852
costumary1853
solid1859
spring weight1869
Henri II1870
western1881
hard-boiled1882
man-of-war1883
Henley1886
demi-season1890
Gretchen1890
toreador1892
crossover1893
French cut1896
drifty1897
boxy1898
Buster Brown1902
Romney1903
modistic1907
Peter Pan1908
classic1909
Fauntleroy1911
baby doll1912
flared1928
flare1929
tuck-in1929
unpressed1932
Edwardian1934
swingy1937
topless1937
wraparound1937
dressed-down1939
cover-up1942
Sun Yat-sen1942
utility1942
non-utility1948
sudsable1951
off-the-shoulder1953
peasant1953
flareless1954
A-line1955
matador1955
stretch1956
wash-and-wear1959
layered1962
Tom Jones1964
Carnaby Street1965
Action Man1966
Mao-style1967
wear-dated1968
thermal1970
bondage1980
swaggery1980
hoochie1990
mitumba1990
kinderwhore1994
1968 J. Ironside Fashion Alphabet 102 Wear-dated, officially recognised guaranteeing the length of normal wear of garments.
1978 Detroit Free Press 16 Apr. (Detroit Suppl.) 14 (advt.) Choice of covers includes lush acrylic velvet by Monsanto with two-year wear-dated guarantee.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1926; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
wearv.1
/wɛː/, U.S. /wɛ(ə)r/ I. ‘To carry appendant to the body’ (Johnson).
1. figurative.1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Pastorals iv, in tr. Virgil Wks. 18 Each common Bush shall Syrian Roses wear.1859 E. FitzGerald tr. Rubáiyát Omar Khayyám xviii. 4 Every Hyacinth the Garden wears.figurative.1896 A. E. Housman Shropshire Lad ii. 3 Loveliest of trees, the cherry now..stands about the woodland ride Wearing white for Eastertide.† c. with on or upon adv. (= on one's person; cf. to have on, to put on 2a(a) at put v. Phrasal verbs 1). Obsolete.† e. absol. To dress, be clad (in a specified fashion). Obsolete. rare.
a. transitive. To carry or bear on one's body or on some member of it, for covering, warmth, ornament, etc.; to be dressed in; to be covered or decked with; to have on.
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > wearing clothing > [verb (transitive)]
wearc893
weighc897
beareOE
haveOE
usea1382
to get on1679
sport1778
to stand up in1823
take1868
the world > life > the body > hair > [verb (transitive)] > grow > in specific fashion
wearc893
cultivate1791
c893 tr. Orosius Hist. (1883) iv. ix. 190 Þæt nan oþer ne moste gyldenne hring werian, buton he æþeles cynnes wære.
c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1978) l. 8830 He weorede [c1300 Otho werede] ane burne.
c1290 St. Patrick 506 in S.E. Leg. 214 Ech werede cloþes of þe en-taile þat heo wereden on eorþe here.
c1386 G. Chaucer Squire's Tale 139 If hire lust it [sc. this ring] for to were Vp on hir thombe or in hir purs it bere.
c1400 (?c1390) Sir Gawain & Green Knight (1940) l. 1928 He were a bleaunt of blwe þat bradde to þe erþe.
c1450 Mirk's Festial 197 He..werd þe her next to hys flesch.
1488 (c1478) Hary Actis & Deidis Schir William Wallace (Adv.) (1968–9) iii. l. 84 Gude souir weide dayly on him he wour.
1526 W. Bonde Pylgrimage of Perfection ii. sig. Tiiiv Though he ware ye habit of religion, yet his hert was in the worlde.
1535 Bible (Coverdale) 1 Macc. xi. 58 To weere a colar of golde.
1590 Tarltons Newes out of Purgatorie 35 A crewe of men that woare Baye garlands on their heads.
1601 P. Holland tr. Pliny Hist. World II. xxvii. vii. 277 If wormewood be worne in a trusse to the bottome of the belly, it allayeth the swelling in the share.
1657 J. Howell Londinopolis 319 These [Irons] he [sc. a prisoner] ware from Thursday till Sunday.
1696 London Gaz. No. 3227/4 He..wears a Truss, being bursten.
1707 J. Stevens tr. F. de Quevedo Comical Wks. (1709) 355 Wearing Watches in their Pockets.
1721 G. Berkeley Ess. Preventing Ruine Great Brit. 9 More fine Linnen is wore in Great Britain than in any other Country.
1857 W. A. Butler Nothing to Wear 19 Miss McFlimsey..The last time we met, was in utter despair, Because she had nothing whatever to wear!
1879 G. C. Harlan Eyesight vi. 78 In Germany..it has long been impossible to fill the ranks of the army without allowing soldiers to wear glasses.
1902 J. Buchan Watcher by Threshold v. 289 He wears the same clothes for years.
1913 M. Roberts Salt of Sea ix. 215 His ears had been pierced for earrings, though he wore none.
b. To dress oneself habitually or at a particular season in (a material, garment) of a particular sort or fashion. Also in passive, of the material or garment.
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > providing with clothing > provide with clothing [verb (transitive)] > in specific way > other
wear?c1225
wear?c1225
wear?a1366
hapc1390
to-ragc1430
to make up1593
puppet1635
to set out1688
undress1818
overclothe1819
toilet1842
?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 307 Nest flesch ne schal nan werien nan linnene.
c1250 Doomsday 28 in Old Eng. Misc. 164 Moni of þisse riche þat wereden foh and grei.
13.. Sir Orfeo (Sisam) 241 He þat hadde ywerd þe fowe and griis.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 11112 He..wered noþer wol ne line.
c1449 R. Pecock Repressor (1860) 543 The habitis whiche..ben assigned to be worn of the religiose persoones.
1516 St. Bridget (Pynson) in J. H. Blunt Mirror our Lady (1873) p. lii She weer euer rough & sharpe wolen cloth.
1535 Bible (Coverdale) 2 Sam. xiii. 18 Soch garmentes wayre ye kynges doughters whyle they were virgins.
1597 R. Hooker Of Lawes Eccl. Politie v. lxxv. 218 The Church..suffereth mourning apparell to bee worne.
1785 G. A. Bellamy Apol. Life III. 50 Brown rateen, which at that time was much wore.
1848 W. M. Thackeray Vanity Fair lii. 468 When the Court went into mourning, she always wore black.
1860 O. W. Holmes Professor at Breakfast-table vii. 193 She wears her trains very long, as the great ladies do in Europe.
a1891 R. W. Barbour Thoughts (1900) 66 Wearing scarlet is a badge of being in the Queen's service.
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > providing with clothing > provide with clothing [verb (transitive)] > in specific way > other
wear?c1225
wear?c1225
wear?a1366
hapc1390
to-ragc1430
to make up1593
puppet1635
to set out1688
undress1818
overclothe1819
toilet1842
?a1366 Romaunt Rose 564 A chapelet, so semly oon Ne werede neuer mayde vpon.
c1386 G. Chaucer Wife of Bath's Prol. 559 I..wered vpon my gaye scarlet gytes.
1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. I. 239 Þis victor hym self schulde were on Iupiter his cote.
1567 T. Harman Caueat for Commen Cursetors (new ed.) sig. Eiiv A lytle whystell of syluer that his mother dyd vse customably to weare on.
1570 P. Levens Manipulus Vocabulorum sig. Riiv/1 To Weare on, ferre.
1579 T. North tr. Plutarch Liues 368 He weareth on a purple coloured coate.
d. said of an animal.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > by habits or actions > habits and actions > [verb (transitive)] > of bells, rings, etc.: wear
wear1486
1486 Bk. St. Albans, Hawking d iii The bellis that yowre hawke shall wheer looke in any wise that thay be not to heuy ouer hir power to weyr.
1579 W. Wilkinson Confut. Familye of Loue f. 13v A ring of gold..ceaseth not to be a ryng of gold though a swine weare it.
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > wearing clothing > [verb (intransitive)]
wear?c1225
to stand in ——a1382
clothe1393
remember your courtesy1598
dress1673
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > providing with clothing > provide with clothing [verb (transitive)] > in specific way > other
wear?c1225
wear?c1225
wear?a1366
hapc1390
to-ragc1430
to make up1593
puppet1635
to set out1688
undress1818
overclothe1819
toilet1842
?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 2 Heo teacheð al hu me schal beoren him wið [Scribe B wiðuten]. hu eoten & drinken. Werien & singen. Slepen & waken.
1597 J. Payne Royall Exchange 28 They walkinge and wearinge in that common place agreable to there caullinge and state.
f. intransitive (for passive) = to be worn; to be the fashion.
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > [verb (intransitive)] > be worn > by people generally
weara1616
to be in wear1704
a1616 W. Shakespeare All's Well that ends Well (1623) i. i. 155 Virginitie like an olde Courtier, weares her cap out of fashion,..iust like the brooch & the tooth-pick, which were not now. View more context for this quotation
1888 Quiller-Couch in Echoes fr. Oxf. Mag. (1890) 105 Are ‘hems’ wearing?
2. † b. To use, employ, handle. Obsolete.
a. transitive. To bear or carry (arms, also a stick or cane). †Hence, to display (a heraldic charge) on one's shield.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > military equipment > arming or equipping with weapons > arm or equip [verb (transitive)] > bear (arms)
weighc897
wearc1000
bearOE
society > communication > indication > insignia > heraldic devices collective > exhibit armorial bearings [verb (transitive)]
bearc1400
wear1463
give1548
coat1664
c1000 Canons of Ælfric xxx Ne preost..wæpna ne werige.
?a1400 Morte Arth. 3872 He was the sterynneste in stoure that euer stele werryde.
1463 in S. Tymms Wills & Inventories Bury St. Edmunds (1850) 15 To Davn Willm Boxforde my knyves that I veryd my selfe.
c1485 ( G. Hay Bk. Law of Armys (2005) 259 Than will he declare the armes yat all princis and nobles, and othir gentillis aw to were, and of thair colouris, and discripciouns.
1489 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (Adv.) i. 355 The byschop..gert him wer His knyvys forouth him to scher.
1535 Bible (Coverdale) 1 Chron. vi. C Soch as were fightinge men, which wayre shylde & swerde, and coulde bende the bowe.
1585 T. Washington tr. N. de Nicolay Nauigations Turkie i. xvii. 19 b [They had] sworne, at no time after to wear armes against the Turkish nation.
1596 J. Dalrymple tr. J. Leslie Hist. Scotl. (1888) I. 131 (margin) The ryd lyon he weires in his armes.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Othello (1622) v. i. 2 Weare thy good Rapier bare, and put it home. View more context for this quotation
1690 in Minutes of Evid. Nairne Peerage (1873) 26 in Sessional Papers House of Lords (H.L. A) XII. 65 The said Lord William Murray is..to..bear and wear the armes and cognizance of the house and family of Nairne.
1749 Ld. Chesterfield Let. 27 Sept. (1932) (modernized text) IV. 1408 His cane (if unfortunately he wears one) is at perpetual war with every cup of tea or coffee he drinks.
1777 R. B. Sheridan Governess iii. vi. 38 I will let you, know..I have a brother..that wears a sword.
1819 D. B. Warden Statist., Polit. & Hist. Acct. U.S. III. 219 Both sexes..wear an umbrella in all seasons.
1847 L. H. Kerr tr. L. von Ranke Hist. Servia 270 Their small arms, which they had formerly been permitted to wear.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > advantage > usefulness > use (made of things) > use or make use of [verb (transitive)]
noteOE
take?a1160
turnc1175
usec1300
to fare witha1340
benote1340
spenda1400
usea1400
weara1400
naitc1400
occupy1423
to put (also set) in work?a1425
practise?c1430
apply1439
employ?1473
to call upon ——1477
help1489
tew1489
handle1509
exercise1526
improvea1529
serve1538
feed1540
enure1549
to make (also take) (a) use of1579
wield1601
adoperate1612
to avail oneself ofa1616
to avail oneself ofa1616
prevail1617
to make practice of1623
ploy1675
occasion1698
to call on ——1721
subserve1811
nuse1851
utilize1860
a1400 Nominale (Skeat) 138 F[emme] vse nase et criuere. W[oman] weruth seue and riddell.
c1440 Alphabet of Tales 367 He offerd vnto hym..a grete porcion of syluer vessell, & bad hym were þaim for his sake.
3. To allow (one's hair, beard) to grow in a specified fashion, or as opposed to shaving or to the use of a wig.
ΚΠ
c1100 Anglo-Saxon Chron. (MS. C) ann. 1056 Leofgar..se werede his kenepas on his preosthade oððæt he wæs biscop.
c1449 R. Pecock Repressor (1860) 124 Noone wommen weriden thanne eny lynnen or silken keuercheefis, but weriden her open heer.
1560 J. Daus tr. J. Sleidane Commentaries f. lv Speake seldome & weare a long beard.
1600 W. Shakespeare Merchant of Venice v. i. 158 The Clarke will nere weare haire ons face that had it. View more context for this quotation
1624 J. Smith Gen. Hist. Virginia 3 The women weare their haire long on both sides.
1697 W. Dampier New Voy. around World xv. 407 Many of them have abandoned their Country to preserve their liberty of wearing their Hair.
1766 O. Goldsmith Vicar of Wakefield II. xi. 178 Be so good as to inform me if the fellow wore his own red hair?
1807 W. Wordsworth Resolution & Independence in Poems I. 92 The oldest Man he seem'd that ever wore grey hairs.
1841 C. Dickens Barnaby Rudge i. 232 He wore his own dark hair.
1862 Queen's Regul. Naval Service 336 The Officers, Petty Officers, and Seamen of the Fleet are not to wear moustaches or beards.
1905 H. G. Wells Kipps ii. ii. §1 She wore her hair in a knob behind.
4. Phrases (literal and figurative).† b. to wear the horn(s): to be a cuckold. Obsolete.† c. to wear papers: (of an offender) To have a note of one's offence fastened on one's back or head. Obsolete.1548 Hall's Vnion: Henry VIII f. j Sone after were apprehended diuerse, called promoters..of the whiche, the moste part ware papers, and stoode on the Pillorie.1552 R. Huloet Abcedarium Anglico Latinum Weare a paper for some infamye or offence, contamidio [read catomidio].1561 H. Machyn Diary (1848) 250 They ware paper a-pon ther hedes for pergure.1616 N. Breton Good & Badde 14 Lest when the Law indeede laies them open, in steade of carrying papers in their hands, they weare not papers on their heads. † f. slang. (See quots.) Obsolete.
a. to wear a crown, diadem, mitre, palm, the purple, etc.: to hold the dignity or office of which the ornament is a symbol.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > office > [verb (intransitive)] > hold office with specific symbol
to wear a crown, diadem, mitre, palm, the purplec893
c893 tr. Orosius Hist. (1883) vi. xxx. 280 Þæt hie woldon þa onwaldas forlætan, & þa purpuran alecgan þa hie weredon.
1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) 1 Esdras iii. 2 King Darie made a gret soper..to alle that wereden [v.r. werden] purper.
c1470 Three Fifteenth-C. Chron. (Camden) 4 He was the fyrst kynge þat ever wered crowne of golde in this londe.
1594 W. Shakespeare Titus Andronicus i. i. 6 The last That ware the Imperiall Diademe of Rome. View more context for this quotation
1600 W. Shakespeare Henry IV, Pt. 2 (2nd issue) iii. i. 31 Vneasie lies the head that weares a crowne . View more context for this quotation
1797 E. Burke Lett. Peace Regic. France iii, in Wks. (1815) VIII. 274 It is the power of winning that palm which ensures our wearing it.
1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. I. ii. 205 Degrading that crown which it was probable that he would himself one day wear.
1895 ‘H. S. Merriman’ Sowers i He [the Emperor] is a gentleman, although he has the misfortune to wear the purple.
ΘΚΠ
society > morality > moral evil > licentiousness > unchastity > fornication, adultery, or incest > commit fornication, adultery, or incest [verb (intransitive)] > commit adultery > be dishonoured by wife's adultery
to wear the horn(s)?1515
to wear a forker1606
?1515 Hyckescorner (de Worde) sig. C.i And knyght of the halter my fader ware an horne.
a1616 W. Shakespeare As you like It (1623) iv. ii. 14 Take thou no scorne to weare the horne . View more context for this quotation
1632 T. Hawkins tr. P. Matthieu Vnhappy Prosperitie 98 By reason he was old, and without children,..his wife should doe well to make him weare the horne.
1639 J. Clarke Paroemiologia 328 The good wife weares the breeches, the good man the hornes.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > punishment > imprisonment > imprison [verb (transitive)] > wear statement of offence
to wear papersa1529
a1529 J. Skelton Speke Parrot in Poet. Wks. (1843) II. 23 So myche papers weryng for ryghte a smalle ex[c]esse.
d. to wear one's arm in a scarf or sling: to support it thus when injured. to wear one's heart upon one's sleeve: see heart n., int., and adv. Phrases 5e.
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > healing > medical treatment > treatment by topical applications > treat by topical applications [verb (intransitive)] > wear sling
to wear one's arm in a scarf or sling1598
1598 A. M. tr. J. Guillemeau Frenche Chirurg. 29/2 He must weare his arme before on his breste in a scarfe.
a1616 W. Shakespeare As you like It (1623) v. ii. 20 Oh my deere Orlando, how it greeues me to see thee weare thy heart in a scarfe.
1660 F. Brooke tr. V. Le Blanc World Surveyed 27 My companion was so bruised, that he wore his arm in a scarf for two months after.
1699 A. Boyer Royal Dict. at Sling To wear one's Arm in a Sling, Porter le bras en écharpe.
1794 A. Radcliffe Myst. of Udolpho IV. xiii. 305 He wears his arm in a sling.
e. to wear the breeches: see breech n. 2. to wear yellow hose(or breeches): see yellow adj. 3a. to wear the willow: see to wear (the) willow at willow n. 1d. to wear the trousers: see to wear the trousers at trousers n. Phrases 1.
ΚΠ
1819 J. H. Vaux New Vocab. Flash Lang. in Memoirs II. at Bands To wear the bands, is to be hungry, or short of food for any length of time.
1819 J. H. Vaux New Vocab. Flash Lang. in Memoirs II. (at cited word) Wear it, to wear it upon a person, (meaning to wear a nose, or a conk,) is synonymous with nosing, conking, splitting, or coming it.
5. Of a ship (or its commander): To fly (a flag, colours).†Formerly also, to carry (a mast).
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > indication > insignia > standard > [verb (transitive)] > fly or hoist flags, etc.
stretchc1400
to put outa1450
show1488
wear1558
to set out1573
to set up1585
to put abroad1625
fly1655
hoist1697
rehoist1765
run1815
1558 in W. G. Perrin Brit. Flags (1922) 88 Mr. Broke, Captaine of the reed Gallie, who is apointed to ware the flagge of vize Admyrall for this present Jorney.
1575 A. Fleming tr. Virgil Bucolics iv. 12 No shyp that weares a maste, Shal make exchaunge of wares.
1627 J. Smith Sea Gram. xiii. 62 Any ship..where he..resideth..is to weare his flag in the maine top.
1666 London Gaz. No. 82/1 Thirteen French Gallies, wearing Swedes Colors.
1715 London Gaz. No. 5359/1 The Czar on board his Ship wears the Distinction of Vice-Admiral of the Blue.
1803 in Ld. Nelson Dispatches & Lett. (1845) V. 287 (note) Saint George's Ensigns are to be worn by every Ship in Action.
1862 Queen's Regul. Naval Service 17 The Admiral of the Fleet, and the Admirals of the Red, White, and Blue, shall wear their proper Flag.
1881 A. MacGeorge Flags 73 The other [pendant] is worn at the mast-head of all armed vessels in the employ of the government of a British colony.
6. transferred. To bear or possess as a member or part of the body.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > the body > part of body > have as part [verb (transitive)]
bearOE
wear1513
1513 G. Douglas in tr. Virgil Æneid viii. Prol. 156 Quhy the corn hes the caff, And kow weris clufe.
1591 G. Fletcher Of Russe Common Wealth iii. f. 10v The fish that weareth it [the ‘fishe tooth’] is called a Morse.
1614 W. Raleigh Hist. World Pref. sig. D2 Euery man weares but his owne skin.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Taming of Shrew (1623) ii. i. 213 Who knowes not where a Waspe does weare his sting? In his taile. View more context for this quotation
a1616 W. Shakespeare As you like It (1623) ii. i. 14 Sweet are the vses of aduersitie Which like the toad, ougly and venemous, Weares yet a precious Iewell in his head. View more context for this quotation
1621 R. Burton Anat. Melancholy Democritus to Rdr. 34 To see a man to weare his braines in his belly, his guts in his head.
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics iv, in tr. Virgil Wks. 138 Two Golden Horns on his large Front he wears . View more context for this quotation
a1721 M. Prior Turtle & Sparrow (1723) 132 All that wear Feathers first or last, Must one Day perch on Charon's Mast.
1794 W. Godwin Caleb Williams I. vi. 127 I will not put my estate to nurse to you, nor the best he that wears a head.
1847 H. Miller First Impressions Eng. xvii. 317 Fish that wear an armature of bone outside.
1848 W. M. Thackeray Vanity Fair liii. 479 Steyne wore the scar to his dying day.
7. To exhibit or present (a particular look, expression, appearance, etc.).
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > thing seen > appearance or aspect > have (specific) appearance [verb (transitive)]
beareOE
to look likec1390
showa1425
fantasy?1611
weara1616
strikea1701
to make likea1881
a1616 W. Shakespeare Winter's Tale (1623) i. ii. 345 With a countenance as cleare As Friendship weares at Feasts. View more context for this quotation
1670 J. Dryden Tyrannick Love i. i. 10 When an action does two faces wear.
1749 H. Fielding Tom Jones IV. xi. vii. 152 He now assumed a Carriage to me, so very different from what he had lately worn . View more context for this quotation
1766 O. Goldsmith Vicar of Wakefield I. iii. 28 The world now began to wear a different aspect.
1840 R. H. Dana Two Years before Mast xviii. 48 There everything wore the appearance of a holiday.
1841 W. M. Thackeray Great Hoggarty Diamond xi Both wore very long faces.
1870 B. Disraeli Lothair (new ed.) xli. 211 The countenance of Lord St. Aldegonde wore a rueful expression.
8.
a. In various figurative uses: To carry about with one in one's heart, mind, or memory; to have as a quality or attribute; to bear (a name, title).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > memory > retention in the mind > retain in the memory [verb (transitive)]
i-mune971
to have (also bear, keep, hold, etc.) in minda1200
withholdc1200
membera1382
treasure1382
demeanc1460
mindc1460
retain1474
keep1574
to take (a thing) with one1577
carry1583
weara1586
the mind > language > naming > give a name to [verb (transitive)] > have or bear (name)
beara1225
weara1586
carry1601
undergo1605
sustain1700
the world > existence and causation > existence > intrinsicality or inherence > inhere in or be an attribute of [verb (transitive)] > have as a quality or attribute
weara1586
the mind > mental capacity > spirituality > mind, soul, spirit, heart > [verb (transitive)] > carry in one's soul
weara1586
a1586 Sir P. Sidney Apol. Poetrie (1595) sig. G1 Let Aeneas be worne in the tablet of your memory.
1600 W. Shakespeare Much Ado about Nothing i. i. 71 He weares his faith but as the fashion of his hat, it euer changes with the next blocke. View more context for this quotation
1604 W. Shakespeare Hamlet iii. ii. 70 Giue me that man That is not passions Slaue, and I will weare him In my harts core. View more context for this quotation
a1616 W. Shakespeare Macbeth (1623) ii. ii. 63 My Hands are of your colour: but I shame To weare a Heart so white. View more context for this quotation
1655 T. Fuller Church-hist. Brit. ix. 191 Suffragan of Nottingham, (the last I beleeve who wore that title).
1668 W. Davenant Man's the Master v. i He did wear your Brother in his bosome as his dearest Friend.
1777 P. Thicknesse Year's Journey France & Spain (1789) I. 348 ‘Roach; an unfortunate name!’ said he;— ‘but, as it is my name, I will wear it.’
1827 in W. Scott Chron. Canongate Introd. App. He was vain of the cognomen which he had now worn for eight years.
1848 Classical Museum V. 382 The dithyramb wore the same character as Pindar's ἆθλα.
1884 Christian Commonw. 21 Feb. 439/1 Those who wear His name.
b. To possess and enjoy as one's own. Chiefly in to win and wear (a lady as one's wife).The lit. reference may have been to a favour won in the tilt, or to a king's crown (cf. Shakespeare 2 Henry IV iv. v. 222).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > have or possess [verb (transitive)] > possess and use or enjoy
joyc1330
to fare witha1340
rejoicea1375
joisea1400
rejoy?1455
wear1573
undergo1604
1573 G. Harvey Schollers Loove in Let.-bk. (1884) 114 Thou hast woone her—weare her.
1588 R. Greene Pandosto sig. G Meleagrus is a knight that hath wonne me by loue, and none but he shal weare me.
1600 W. Shakespeare Much Ado about Nothing v. i. 82 Win me and weare me, let him answer me. View more context for this quotation
a1616 W. Shakespeare Cymbeline (1623) i. iv. 86 You may weare her in title yours. View more context for this quotation
a1625 J. Fletcher Wild-goose Chase (1652) ii. i. 13 Win 'em, and wear 'em, I give up my interest.
1748 S. Richardson Clarissa III. lxxvi. 350 I, who have won the gold, am only fit to wear it.
1847 F. Marryat Children of New Forest II. xiii. 294 As for his daughter..you have yet to ‘win her and wear her’, as the saying is.
c. To tolerate, accept, or agree to (a proposal, etc.). Usually in negative with it as object.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > speech > agreement > consent > consent to [verb (transitive)]
thave835
baithea1350
consentc1386
accordc1400
agreea1413
sustainc1425
to fall to ——a1450
exalt1490
avow1530
to stand satisfactory to1576
teem1584
assent1637
to close with1654
fiat1831
to stand in1911
wear1925
1925 E. Fraser & J. Gibbons Soldier & Sailor Words 301 To wear, to put up with, e.g., ‘I won't wear it’, I won't stand it.
1945 C. H. Ward-Jackson It's a Piece of Cake (new ed.) 61 Wear it. Agree to it, accept it. Thus, ‘I've asked the old man for permission to keep the bar open an hour later, but he won't wear it.’
1950 C. MacInnes To Victors the Spoils i. 70 ‘The new Captain would never wear it.’ ‘Then it's up to you to put it to him the right way.’
1961 E. Waugh Unconditional Surrender iii. i. 203 Presently the Lieutenant came across to them bearing a cigar-case. ‘I can't wear them myself,’ he said.
1970 P. H. Johnson Honours Board 61 The mother said this was very kind but that Peter would never—she was given to girlish slang—‘wear it’.
1981 S. Jackman Game of Soldiers i. 53 No..Watson wouldn't wear it... Nor will I.
II. To waste, damage, or destroy by use.
9. absolute.1478 Rental Bk. Cupar-Angus (1879) I. 212 He sal defend the watyr at it were na ferrar in, eftir vale and quantyte of his land.
a. To waste and impair (a material) gradually by use or attrition. ? Primarily with clothes as obj. = to damage them by ordinary wearing.Perhaps originally short for forwear v., which is found earlier.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > condition of matter > bad condition of matter > cause bad condition in [verb (transitive)] > cause to waste away > wear away or down
afrayc1330
wear1382
contrive?a1475
to wear to rags or tattersa1529
wear1538
(to wear) to the stumps1563
work1853
1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) Josh. ix. 13 Clothis and shoon..for the length of lenger weye ben to troden, and almeest wered.
a1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus De Proprietatibus Rerum (BL Add. 27944) (1975) II. xiv. iii. 695 Cause of mountayns..ben not elles but movinge of waters þat werieth and forwerieth [1495 de Worde dygge & weer] þe neshe parties of þe erthe.
a1425 Edward, Duke of York Master of Game (Digby) xxiv Whan his tuskes aboue beth..ywered of þe neyther tuskes.
c1440 Promptorium Parvulorum 522/2 Weryn, or vson, as clothys and other thyngys, vetero.
1539 in J. W. Clay Testamenta Eboracensia (1902) VI. 89 If any of the said housholde stuf be worne or gone, then she to be resonablie recompensed.
1542 N. Udall tr. Erasmus Apophthegmes f. 45 How it chaunced, that the philosophiers did frette and weare the threshholdes of riche mennes houses.
1579 E. Spenser Shepheardes Cal. Oct. 8 I haue pyped erst so long with payne, That all mine Oten reedes bene rent and wore.
1610 P. Holland tr. W. Camden Brit. i. 752 All the letters beside..are so worne and gone, that they could not be read.
1611 Bible (King James) Ecclus. vi. 36 Let thy foote weare [ἐκτριβέτω] the steps of his doore. View more context for this quotation
1717 A. Pope Eloisa to Abelard in Wks. 418 Ye rugged rocks! which holy knees have worn.
1764 J. Ferguson Lect. Select Subj. 47 When the stone is considerably wore, and become light, the mill must be fed slowly.
1849 M. Arnold Forsaken Merman 74 We climb'd on the graves, on the stones worn with rains.
1855 Bohn Ray's Prov. etc. 339 Constant dropping wears the stone.
1872 L. P. Meredith Teeth 112 When the teeth are crowded too closely together, they..wear one another.
1898 ‘H. S. Merriman’ Roden's Corner iv. 33 The house..is of dark red brick with facings of stone, long since worn by wind and weather.
b. with intensifying adverb, as away, down, off, out.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > condition of matter > bad condition of matter > cause bad condition in [verb (transitive)] > cause to waste away > wear away or down
afrayc1330
wear1382
contrive?a1475
to wear to rags or tattersa1529
wear1538
(to wear) to the stumps1563
work1853
1538 T. Elyot Dict. Addicion Contero, to weare out with occupienge.
1561 in Inuentaires de la Royne Descosse (Bannatyne Club) 33 Ane auld cannabie of grene serge worne away and brokin.
1590 E. Spenser Faerie Queene ii. iv. sig. P6 Her lockes..Grew all afore,..But all behinde was bald, and worne away.
1600 E. Fairfax tr. T. Tasso Godfrey of Bulloigne xviii. xxi. 319 Downe fell the bridge, swelled the streame, and weard The worke away.
1647 in F. P. Verney & M. M. Verney Mem. Verney Family 17th Cent. (1907) I. 373 All the linnen is quite worne out.
1674 R. Boyle About Excellency & Grounds Mech. Hypothesis 28 in Excellency Theol. Such an attrition, as wears off the edges and points.
1676 J. Smith Art of Painting in Oyl xvii. 75 Too frequent operations in this kind must needs wear off a little of the Colours.
1782 F. Burney Cecilia III. v. viii. 93 Never sweep a room out of use; only wears out brooms for nothing.
1835 T. Mitchell in tr. Aristophanes Acharnians 620 (note) The metaphor is derived from a flute, the mouth-piece of which is worn out.
1852 C. Lyell Elem. Geol. (ed. 4) iii. 25 These flinty cases and spiculæ..are..admirably adapted, when rubbed, for wearing down into a fine powder fit for polishing the surface of metals.
1885 Law Rep.: Queen's Bench Div. 15 316 The catch on the pin..was worn away.
1922 C. Alington Strained Relations xiv. 222 If you can't get into Parliament without my wearing out your old suits.
c. with pred. complement, as to wear threadbare, smooth, blunt; to wear to rags or tatters, to wear to the stumps. (Also in figurative context.)
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > condition of matter > bad condition of matter > cause bad condition in [verb (transitive)] > cause to waste away > wear away or down
afrayc1330
wear1382
contrive?a1475
to wear to rags or tattersa1529
wear1538
(to wear) to the stumps1563
work1853
a1529 J. Skelton Magnyfycence (?1530) sig. Aiiii Welth and wyt I say be so threde bare worne That all is without measure.
1563 J. Foxe Actes & Monuments 1313/2 Though our soule priestes sing til they be bleare eyed, say tyl they haue worne theyr tongues to ye stumpes, neither their singings nor their sayings shall bryng vs out of hel.
1575 G. Gascoigne Complaint Greene Knight in Posies 180 She did but weare Cosmanes cloutes, which she in spite had torne: And yet betwene them both they waare the threeds so neere [etc.].
1639 J. Taylor Part Summers Trav. 48 My Pen is worn blunt.
1661 R. Boyle Some Consider. Style of Script. (1675) 232 All his too frequent kisses have worn it to tatters.
1756 T. Amory Life John Buncle I. 323 There was no water dropping from the roof of this cave; but in a thousand places..it crept through the sides, and formed streams that ran softly over the ground, and weared it smooth.
1765 S. Foote Commissary i. 7 He'll stick to his honour too, till his cassock is wore to a rag.
1808 W. Scott Marmion i. v. 27 His forehead, by his casque worn bare.
1852 W. M. Thackeray Henry Esmond I. vii. 152 She would wear a gown to rags, because he had once liked it.
10.
a. To sap the strength or energy of (a person, his faculties, etc.) by toil, age, etc.; to fatigue, weary; †to exhaust (a soil).
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sleeping and waking > weariness or exhaustion > weary or exhaust [verb (transitive)]
wearyc897
tirea1000
travailc1300
forwearya1325
taryc1375
tarc1440
matec1450
break1483
labour1496
overwearya1500
wear?1507
to wear out, forth1525
fatigate1535
stress1540
overtire1558
forwaste1563
to tire out1563
overwear1578
spend1582
out-tire1596
outwear1596
outweary1596
overspend1596
to toil out1596
attediate1603
bejade1620
lassate1623
harassa1626
overtask1628
tax1672
hag1674
trash1685
hatter1687
overtax1692
fatigue1693
to knock up1740
tire to death1740
overfatigue1741
fag1774
outdo1776
to do over1789
to use up1790
jade1798
overdo1817
frazzlea1825
worry1828
to sew up1837
to wear to death1840
to take it (also a lot, too much, etc.) out of (a person)1847
gruel1850
to stump up1853
exhaust1860
finish1864
peter1869
knacker1886
grind1887
tew1893
crease1925
poop1931
raddle1951
the world > food and drink > farming > farm > farmland > land suitable for cultivation > exhaust land [verb (transitive)] > exhaust
wear?1507
to wear out1586
drive1645
to run out1698
overcrop1743
exhaust1787
overteem1818
skin1845
nigger1859
overplant1890
?1507 W. Dunbar Tua Mariit Wemen (Rouen) in Poems (1998) I. 44 He is waistit and worne fra Venus werkis.
?1523 J. Fitzherbert Bk. Husbandry f. ix All these maner of otes weare ye grounde very sore.
1585 J. Higgins tr. Junius Nomenclator 384/1 Ager effœtus,..a ground that by continuall fruitfulnes is quite spent, worne, and out of occupyeng.
1591–5 Countess of Pembroke Lay of Clorinda 95 Thus do we weep and waile, and wear our eies.
a1616 W. Shakespeare All's Well that ends Well (1623) v. i. 4 Since you haue made the daies and nights as one, To weare your gentle limbes in my affayres. View more context for this quotation
1694 J. Dryden To Congreve in W. Congreve Double-dealer sig. a3 Already I am worn with Cares and Age.
1825 W. Scott Talisman iii, in Tales Crusaders III. 92 Both warriors, worn by toil and travel, were soon fast asleep.
1833 H. Martineau Loom & Lugger ii. i. 7 He had brought me up to an occupation that wears the spirits.
1865 M. Arnold Ess. Crit. iii. 102 Still the yoke wore him deeply, and he had moments of bitter revolt.
1870 W. C. Bryant tr. Homer Iliad I. iv. 402 Age, the common fate of all, has worn Thy frame.
b. with adverb, as away, out, down, †up. Also with adverbial phrase, as to wear to death.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sleeping and waking > weariness or exhaustion > weary or exhaust [verb (transitive)]
wearyc897
tirea1000
travailc1300
forwearya1325
taryc1375
tarc1440
matec1450
break1483
labour1496
overwearya1500
wear?1507
to wear out, forth1525
fatigate1535
stress1540
overtire1558
forwaste1563
to tire out1563
overwear1578
spend1582
out-tire1596
outwear1596
outweary1596
overspend1596
to toil out1596
attediate1603
bejade1620
lassate1623
harassa1626
overtask1628
tax1672
hag1674
trash1685
hatter1687
overtax1692
fatigue1693
to knock up1740
tire to death1740
overfatigue1741
fag1774
outdo1776
to do over1789
to use up1790
jade1798
overdo1817
frazzlea1825
worry1828
to sew up1837
to wear to death1840
to take it (also a lot, too much, etc.) out of (a person)1847
gruel1850
to stump up1853
exhaust1860
finish1864
peter1869
knacker1886
grind1887
tew1893
crease1925
poop1931
raddle1951
c1524 in H. Ellis Orig. Lett. Eng. Hist. (1824) 1st Ser. I. 193 Ells they [the Irish] shall never be woren out, but increas more and more.
1577 E. Woolton Castell of Christians sig. Fijv Peruerse affections, which doo euen weare awaye, and consume vs.
1607 J. Norden Surueyors Dialogue v. 241 A weed that groweth commonly upon grounds ouertilled, and worne out of heart.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Measure for Measure (1623) i. ii. 101 You that haue worne your eyes almost out in the seruice, you will bee considered. View more context for this quotation
1672 W. Walker Paroemiologia Anglo-Lat. 56 They win by wearing their enemies out.
1691 T. P. Blount Ess. 165 In most of these Places the old Inhabitants, or their Breed, are quite wore away.
1701 J. Collier tr. M. Aurelius Medit. (1726) 8 That she may not live too fast, wear up her constitution, and destroy the capacities of enjoyment.
1729 W. Law Serious Call xi. 169 She tells you that her patience is quite wore out.
1735 S. Johnson tr. J. Lobo Voy. Abyssinia 42 The concern they shew'd at seeing us worn away with Hunger, Labour, and Weariness.
1783 S. Johnson Let. 23 July (1994) IV. 175 Do not let your mind wear out your body.
1803 T. Beddoes Hygëia III. ix. 105 At the close of the season in London women appear worn down, haggard and spent.
1840 T. Arnold Hist. Rome II. 344 With these missiles [they] endeavoured to wear down the mass of their enemies.
1841 C. Dickens Old Curiosity Shop ii. lxiv. 161 This poor little Marchioness has been wearing herself to death!
1847 W. E. Forster in T. W. Reid Life W. E. Forster (1888) I. vi. 190 Found my father..pretty well, but worn up and worn down.
1847 W. M. Thackeray Vanity Fair (1848) xiv. 127 And still you go hanging on to my sister, who'll fling you off like an old shoe, when she's wore you out.
1872 G. W. Dasent Three to One x He always looks well when he doesn't wear himself down dancing all night.
1881 B. Jowett tr. Thucydides Hist. Peloponnesian War I. 230 They carried on uninterrupted war against the new settlers until they completely wore them out.
1886 ‘S. Tytler’ Buried Diamonds xviii To-night, when one is worn off one's feet already, with this miserable ball.
1904 M. Hewlett Queen's Quair iii. xi. 500 She wore herself to thread, padding up and down the room.
1912 World 7 May 700/1 As the soil..becomes worn out the farmers have to buy more artificial manure.
c. With on or upon. Of a circumstance: to affect (a person) adversely; to fatigue or debilitate. Cf. weigh v.1 22a.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sleeping and waking > weariness or exhaustion > weary or exhaust [verb (transitive)] > in other ways
ofliec1275
forseeka1400
overwatcha1529
haggle1648
wear1864
nag1870
fatigue1872
to run into the ground1955
1864 O. W. Norton Army Lett. (1903) 245 I did not suppose these things were serious enough to wear upon your health.
1901 ‘L. Malet’ Hist. Richard Calmady v. ii. 389 I have had a detestable winter... It wore upon me. It demoralised me.
1915 D. H. Lawrence Let. ?29 Apr. (1962) 335 You can't imagine how it wears on one, having at every moment to resist this established world.
11. † c. to wear out: to forget, lose mental hold of, through disuse or lapse of time. Obsolete.
a. figurative. With object a quality, condition, activity, disease, etc.: to cause to weaken, diminish, or disappear gradually. Chiefly with adverb or adverbial phr. (as above). to wear out: to efface, destroy, exhaust, abolish, by gradual loss or the lapse of time.
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > creation > destruction > destroy [verb (transitive)] > devour, engulf, or consume (of fire, water, etc.) > consume or destroy wastefully (time, money, etc.)
to wear out1390
exhaust1541
horse-leech1679
to eat up1680
racket1753
to run into the ground1836
short1979
the world > food and drink > farming > farm > farmland > land suitable for cultivation > exhaust land [verb (transitive)] > exhaust
wear?1507
to wear out1586
drive1645
to run out1698
overcrop1743
exhaust1787
overteem1818
skin1845
nigger1859
overplant1890
the world > relative properties > quantity > decrease or reduction in quantity, amount, or degree > reduce in quantity, amount, or degree [verb (transitive)] > reduce gradually
to wane away1601
wear1697
wean1707
whittle1736
to tail off (out)1827
to ease off1884
to taper off (away, down)1898
to run down1960
to wind down1969
1390 J. Gower Confessio Amantis I. 33 The world..welnyh is wered oute.
?a1400 Morte Arth. 2930 Oure wages are werede owte, and thi werre endide.
1586 A. Day Eng. Secretorie i. sig. C4 But that custome..is longe since worne out.
1657 in F. P. Verney & M. M. Verney Mem. Verney Family 17th Cent. (1907) II. 59 That acquaintance with you which time and far distance hath worne something out of our memories.
1663 S. Butler Hudibras: First Pt. i. i. 5 We grant, although he had much wit, H' was very shie of using it, As being loath to wear it out.
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics iii, in tr. Virgil Wks. 96 All other Themes, that careless Minds invite, Are worn with use; unworthy me to write. View more context for this quotation
1705 J. Addison Remarks Italy 100 By the Pompousness of the whole Phrase, to wear off any Littleness that appears in the particular Parts that compose it.
1711 J. Addison Spectator No. 39. ⁋1 Diversions of this kind wear out of our Thoughts every thing that is mean and little.
1751 F. Coventry Hist. Pompey the Little i. x. 91 When he had a little wore off the Relish of Pleasure.
1831 G. P. R. James Philip Augustus xxii As the fire wore away the strength of the wood.
1858 B. Taylor Northern Trav. xii. 124 When the novelty of the thing is worn off.
1865 C. Dickens Our Mutual Friend II. iv. xvi. 297 As if Time alone could quite wear her injury out.
1871 E. A. Freeman Hist. Norman Conquest (1876) IV. xviii. 145 He did not strike a blow till all the powers of diplomacy had been thoroughly worn out between himself and his rival.
1899 T. C. Allbutt et al. Syst. Med. VIII. 846 Repeated operations with the idea of ‘wearing out’ the disease.
b. to wear down: to blunt the force of and overcome by steady resistance or counter-attack. Also, to get gradually ahead of (a competitor in a race) by superior endurance.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > prosperity > success > mastery or superiority > have or gain mastery or superiority over [verb (transitive)] > overcome or defeat > by endurance
to wear down1843
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > racing or race > race (a race) [verb (transitive)] > move ahead gradually by superior endurance
to wear down1895
1843 R. J. Graves Syst. Clin. Med. xix. 221 These medicines..remove the aguish fits..gradually, and as it were, by wearing down the paroxysms.
1872 W. H. Dixon W. Penn (rev. ed.) viii. 66 The young Quaker..strove to wear down malice by his patient and forgiving mood.
1889 H. R. Haggard Allan's Wife 20 Be a man, and wear it down.
1895 Daily News 27 Sept. 3/2 Macbriar..gradually wearing down Balm of Gilead, won by three-quarters of a length.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > memory > faulty recollection > recollect wrongly [verb (transitive)]
forgetc1300
oblivec1500
misremember1533
oblitec1560
to wear outa1676
misrecollect1818
misrecall1959
a1676 M. Hale Primitive Originat. Mankind (1677) To Rdr. My application to another Study and Profession, rendred my skill in that Language of little use to me, and so I wore it out by degrees.
1711 J. Swift Sentiments Church of Eng.-man ii, in Misc. Prose & Verse 131 When these Doctrines began to be Preached among us, the Kingdom had not quite worn out the Memory of that unhappy Rebellion.
12. To form or produce by attrition.
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > creation > [verb (transitive)] > fashion, shape, or form > form by cutting, pounding, tearing, rubbing, etc.
hewc900
smitec1275
tailc1400
carve1490
tear1597
wear1597
to work out1600
draw1610
to carve outa1616
effringe1657
shear1670
pare1708
sned1789
whittle1848
to rip up1852
slice1872
chop1874
the world > matter > condition of matter > bad condition of matter > cause bad condition in [verb (transitive)] > cause to waste away > wear away or down > form or produce by
work1585
fret1597
wear1597
1597 M. Drayton Englands Heroicall Epist. f. 66 That Nectar-stayned way, The restlesse sunne by trauailing doth weare.
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Æneis ix, in tr. Virgil Wks. 479 Few Paths of Humane Feet or Tracks of Beasts were worn.
1726 G. Leoni tr. L. B. Alberti Architecture I. 74/1 Ants, with constant passing up and down, will wear traces even in flints.
1782 F. Burney Cecilia III. v. i. 11 Wish I had not come now; wore a hole in my shoe.
1834 T. Pringle Afr. Sketches vi. 203 A steep and rugged path, worn by the boors' cattle.
III. intransitive. To suffer waste or decay by use or by lapse of time.
13. † d. to wear out, forth, of something which holds good for a limited time: To determine, expire. Obsolete.
a. Of persons or living things, activities, qualities, etc.: To lose strength, vitality, keenness, sharpness, or intensity, by the decay of time; to waste, diminish, or fade by gradual loss.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > goodness and badness > badness or evil > worse > [verb (intransitive)] > in quality or character
forworthc1000
wearc1275
spilla1300
defadec1325
pall?c1335
forlinec1374
sinka1500
degender1539
degener1545
degenerate1545
dwindle1598
degenerize1606
disflourish1640
deflourish1656
waste1669
tarnish1678
devolve1830
honeycomb1868
bastardize1878
slush1882
c1275 Serving Christ 68 in Old Eng. Misc. 92 Þer wereþ vre wlite in wurmene won.
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 780/1 All thyng weareth save the grace of God.
1589 R. Robinson Golden Mirrour sig. Ev Tyme is my name, young once I was, Though now, I weare and wast alas.
1595 S. Daniel First Fowre Bks. Ciuile Warres iv. viii. sig. Tv How blessed they that gaine what neuer weares.
a1600 A. Montgomerie Misc. Poems xii. 10 (Laing MS.) My eyes with tereis dois weir.
1605 F. Bacon Of Aduancem. Learning i. sig. C3 It..refresheth their reputation, which otherwise would weare . View more context for this quotation
1841 C. Dickens Old Curiosity Shop ii. liv. 101 The deaf old man..muttered to himself..that the sexton was wearing fast.
1864 R. Browning James Lee's Wife iv. vii Yet this turns now to a fault..That I..wait too well, and weary and wear.
b. most commonly with adverb, as away, off, out, or adverbial phrase.
ΚΠ
1377 in Polit. Poems (Rolls) I. 215 Alle thing weres and wasteth away.
1390 J. Gower Confessio Amantis I. 16 Bot whan god wole, it [the schism] schal were oute, For trowthe mot stonde ate laste.
a1505 R. Henryson Test. Cresseid 467 in Poems (1981) 126 All welth in eird away as wind it weiris.
1547 A. Borde Breuiary of Helthe i. f. Cxlv Were before the eyes a pece of blacke sarcenet..and it [sc. ‘a blast in the eye’] wyll were awaye.
1574 A. Golding tr. A. Marlorat Catholike Expos. Reuelation 28 To the intent these things myght neuer weare out of minde.
1611 Bible (King James) Exod. xviii. 18 Thou wilt surely weare away..: for this thing is too heauy for thee. View more context for this quotation
1697 W. Dampier New Voy. around World x. 282 I found that my strength increased, and my Dropsy wore off.
1719 D. Defoe Life Robinson Crusoe 288 In a little Time, however, no more Canoes appearing, the Fear of their Coming wore off.
1720 S. Payne in R. Cumberland Sanchoniatho's Phœnician Hist. Pref. p. xiv His usual Reply was, A Man had better wear out than rust out.
1759 R. Brown Compl. Farmer 111 If clover is apt to wear out of your ground.
1766 Ld. Kames Remarkable Decisions Court of Session 1730–52 49 Hence the strict way of interpreting such clauses..wore by degrees out of use.
1789–96 J. Morse Amer. Geogr. I. 398 Many persons conjecture that the Cape [Cod] is gradually wearing away.
1798 Lady Nairne Land of Leal (song) I'm wearin' awa' John,..To the land o' the leal.
1821 Ld. Byron Sardanapalus i. ii. 14 Till summer heats wear down.
1842 C. Dickens Amer. Notes I. ii. 22 When its novelty had long worn off.
1843 R. J. Graves Syst. Clin. Med. xxviii. 362 He..seldom got any relief until the attacks were wearing off.
1859 H. Kingsley Recoll. G. Hamlyn xx Her anger, so far from wearing out, grew on what fed it.
1872 W. Black Strange Adventures Phaeton ix The chill of driving through the fogs of the plain had worn off.
1889 S. Walpole Life Ld. J. Russell II. xxi. 98 The strange distrust which had so frequently separated Sir Robert Peel and Lord John began visibly to wear away.
c. with predicative adjective. rare.
ΚΠ
1837 T. Carlyle French Revol. III. iv. viii. 277 The chorus so rapidly wearing weak... The chorus is worn out.
1875 A. C. Swinburne Ess. & Stud. 334 An old man of great strength now wearing weak.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > order > order, sequence, or succession > end or conclusion > be at an end [verb (intransitive)] > come to an end, terminate, or expire
to run outeOE
endOE
stintc1275
slakea1300
overpassc1350
determinec1374
overruna1393
dispend1393
failc1399
missa1400
to wear out, forth1412
stanchc1420
to come outa1450
terminea1450
expire?c1450
finish1490
conclude1593
upclose1603
terminate1608
to shut up1609
to wind off1650
stop1733
to fall in1771
close1821
to blaze out1884
outgive1893
to play out1964
the world > matter > condition of matter > bad condition of matter > deteriorate in condition [verb (intransitive)] > waste away > wear > wear out
to wear out, forth1412
slitec1440
to burn out, forth1931
the world > time > [verb (intransitive)]
overgoeOE
agoeOE
goOE
forthgoOE
runOE
overdrivea1275
farea1325
overmetea1325
walka1325
passc1330
slidec1374
yern1377
to pass overa1382
wastec1385
waive1390
to pass awaya1400
overseyc1400
drive?c1450
to drive ona1470
slevea1510
to roll awaya1522
to roll overa1522
to wear out, forth1525
flit1574
to pass on1574
to run on1578
overhie1582
wear1597
overslip1607
spend1607
travel1609
to go bya1616
elapsea1644
to come round1650
efflux1660
to roll round1684
lapse1702
roll1731
to roll around1769
to roll by1790
transpire1824
to come around1829
tide1835
elabe1837
tick1937
the world > physical sensation > sleeping and waking > weariness or exhaustion > weary or exhaust [verb (transitive)]
wearyc897
tirea1000
travailc1300
forwearya1325
taryc1375
tarc1440
matec1450
break1483
labour1496
overwearya1500
wear?1507
to wear out, forth1525
fatigate1535
stress1540
overtire1558
forwaste1563
to tire out1563
overwear1578
spend1582
out-tire1596
outwear1596
outweary1596
overspend1596
to toil out1596
attediate1603
bejade1620
lassate1623
harassa1626
overtask1628
tax1672
hag1674
trash1685
hatter1687
overtax1692
fatigue1693
to knock up1740
tire to death1740
overfatigue1741
fag1774
outdo1776
to do over1789
to use up1790
jade1798
overdo1817
frazzlea1825
worry1828
to sew up1837
to wear to death1840
to take it (also a lot, too much, etc.) out of (a person)1847
gruel1850
to stump up1853
exhaust1860
finish1864
peter1869
knacker1886
grind1887
tew1893
crease1925
poop1931
raddle1951
the world > time > spending time > spend time or allow time to pass [verb (transitive)]
overdoOE
adreeOE
wreaka1300
to draw forthc1300
dispend1340
pass1340
drivea1375
wastec1381
occupyc1384
overpassa1387
to pass over ——a1393
usec1400
spend1423
contrive?a1475
overdrive1487
consumea1500
to pass forth1509
to drive off1517
lead1523
to ride out1529
to wear out, forth1530
to pass away?1550
to put offc1550
shiftc1562
to tire out1563
wear1567
to drive out1570
entertainc1570
expire1589
tire1589
outwear1590
to see out1590
outrun1592
outgo1595
overshoot1597
to pass out1603
fleeta1616
elapse1654
term1654
trickle1657
to put over1679
absorb1686
spin1696
exercise1711
kill1728
to get through ——1748
to get over ——1751
tickc1870
fill1875
1412–20 J. Lydgate tr. Hist. Troy iv. 2420 Whan þe trews þat þei had take Wer werid oute.
c1420 Wyntoun Cron. viii. 1682 Neuirþeles he was in dowt, Or his condyte was worne out.
1472 J. Paston in Paston Lett. & Papers (2004) I. 585 I gat a lycence of hym for a yere and it is nyghe woryn ought.
1525 in Reg. Mag. Sig. Scot. 1527 97/2 Gif ony feman of the said craft pass furth of the toun or his band of his service be worne furth.
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 780/1 I weare out, as thynges do after their tyme prefyxed is passed, je me faulx... The pardons shall weare out within these thre dayes.
14.
a. Of clothing and other material things: To suffer gradual destruction, loss, or decay from attrition or use.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > condition of matter > bad condition of matter > deteriorate in condition [verb (intransitive)] > waste away > wear
wear1402
wear1414
erode1969
1402 Jack Upland 45 Maketh youre habit you men of religion, or no? If it do, than, ever as it weareth, your religion weareth; and, after that the habit is better, is your religion better.
1414 T. Brampton Paraphr. Seven Penit. Psalms (1842) 38 As clothys doth were with wedyr and wynde.
c1440 Promptorium Parvulorum 522/2 Weryn or wax olde and febyl [by] vse, veterasco.
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 780/1 I weare, as a garment or any other thyng weareth and consumeth with the tyme, je me vse.
1582 Bible (Rheims) Luke xii. 33 Make to you purses that weare not [L. qui non veterascunt].
1587 G. Turberville Tragicall Tales f. 33 By lingring loue she made his monie mealte, As waxe doth weare against the flaming fire.
1836 Penny Cycl. VI. 380/1 These milk-teeth..gradually wear and fall out, and are replaced by the second and permanent teeth.
b. with intensifying adverb or adverbial phrase, as away, down, off, out, †to wear on or to the thread.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > condition of matter > bad condition of matter > deteriorate in condition [verb (intransitive)] > waste away
wastec1400
wear1414
consume1526
worna1538
absume1590
smartle1673
the world > matter > condition of matter > bad condition of matter > deteriorate in condition [verb (intransitive)] > waste away > wear
wear1402
wear1414
erode1969
1414 T. Brampton Paraphr. Seven Penit. Psalms (1842) 38 Alle erthely thynges schul were owte; Castellys and towrys schul bende and breste.
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 780/1 I weare awaye, as a scrypture, or thyng made for remembraunce weareth awaye with the weather or with the tyme, je me oblitere.
1566 A. Edwards Let. 8 Aug. in R. Hakluyt Princ. Navigations (1589) ii. 380 When it [sc. cloth] commeth to weare on the threede, it renteth like paper.
1601 Official Papers Sir N. Bacon (1915) 117 Jettyes and pyles..to defend theis mershes and bankes from wearing awaye by the rage of the sea.
1643 J. Caryl Expos. Job (1676) I. 104 Our flesh wears off quickly in the grave.
1688 G. Miege Great French Dict. ii. sig. Gggg3/2 My Suit begins to wear out.
1793 Earl of Dundonald Descr. Estate Culross 22 Many of the old established Collieries in the Firth are wearing fast out.
1837Wear off [see sense 13c]. 1860 W. W. Reade Liberty Hall, Oxon. II. 38 The gilt beginning to wear off.
1882 R. L. Stevenson New Arabian Nights I. 23 The furniture was scanty, and the coverings worn to the thread.
1886 Manch. Examiner 22 Feb. 6/1 When their carts wear out they need the services of the wheelwright.
1886 W. Besant Children of Gibeon III. ii. xxiii. 60 Her scanty wardrobe would wear out.
c. with predicative adjective, as wide, flat, thin.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > advantage > usefulness > use (made of things) > using up, expending, or consuming > be used up or consumed [verb (intransitive)]
spend1626
wear1931
a1642 H. Best Farming & Memorandum Bks. (1984) 9 Teeth blacke, wearinge wide.
1836 Penny Cycl. VI. 380/1 After six years old the edges of the teeth begin to wear flat, and as they wear off the root of the tooth is pushed up in the socket.
1896 A. E. Housman Shropshire Lad xxxiv. 50 Where the standing line wears thinner and the dropping dead lie thick.
1931 J. van Druten London Wall ii. i. 69 You must have known yourself it's [sc. a love affair] been wearing thin.
1942 J. S. Huxley in Polit. Q. XIII. 384 The inter~war disputation between the ‘have’ and the ‘have-not’ powers is wearing a bit thin.
1982 G. M. Fraser Flashman & Redskins 52 I knew Susie's first good opinion of Spring had worn thin.
IV. Senses relating to endurance.† 16. trans. to wear out: to come safe through, ‘weather’ (a storm, an attack of sickness). Obsolete.
15. intransitive. To last or hold out in use or with the lapse of time; to resist (well or ill) the attrition or waste of use and age; also, to stand the test of experience, criticism, etc.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > duration > have duration [verb (intransitive)] > endure, remain, persist, or continue
bidec893
lastOE
through-wonOE
ylasta1000
standOE
runOE
lastlOE
beleavec1200
abidec1275
cleavec1275
durec1275
dwell13..
endurec1386
perseverec1390
continuec1400
contunec1400
tarrya1450
remainc1455
perdure?a1475
rest1474
permanec1485
succeed1486
perpetuate1530
persist1531
demur1547
perduratea1558
weara1568
to hold it out1585
to hold out1585
abye1590
contain1592
live1592
perennate1623
to draw overa1700
exist1754
linger1764
to hang it out1939
a1568 in J. Cranstoun Satirical Poems Reformation (1891) I. xlviii. 19 I haif Quhyt off grit delyt,..Weill werand Reid, quhill ȝe be deid.
1677 G. Miege New Dict. French & Eng. ii. sig. Kkk2/3 This Stuff wears very well.
1710 R. Steele Tatler No. 208. ⁋1 The Flattery with which he began, in telling me how well I wore, was not disagreeable.
1766 O. Goldsmith Vicar of Wakefield I. i. 1 I..chose my wife as she did her wedding gown, not for a fine glossy surface, but such qualities as would wear well.
1771 ‘Junius’ Stat Nominis Umbra (1772) II. liv. 236 These praises..will wear well, for they have been dearly earned.
1788 Monthly Mag. Mar. 183 The natives [of New York]..do not appear to wear so well as the English.
1816 Ld. Byron Siege of Corinth xiv. 22 Tyrant and slave are swept away, Less formed to wear before the ray.
1836 C. Dickens Sketches by Boz 2nd Ser. 263 How are you, Minns? 'Pon my soul, you wear capitally!
1876 H. James Roderick Hudson i. 18 Rowland examined the statuette at his leisure... He discovered its weak points, but it wore well.
1905 M. Barnes-Grundy Vacillations Hazel 96 I am tired of old-fashioned, made-to-wear-for-ever clothes.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > safety > escape > escape from [verb (transitive)] > pass through (danger or adversity)
passa1325
to wear out1617
weathera1631
to come through ——1655
survive1717
to live out1719
overa1800
1617 in Buccleuch MSS (Hist. MSS Comm.) (1899) I. 252 She has fallen into it [the ague] again..but..I hope she may wear it out.
1645 Bp. J. Hall Remedy Discontentm. xii. 63 The poor man..when hee foresees a storm to threaten him, puts into the next Creek; and wears out in a quiet security that Tempest, wherein he sees prouder Vessels..fatally wracked.
V. In reference to time, change, endurance, etc.
17. In past participle, of time, a period of time, a season: Past, spent, passed away. Also with adverb, as out, †by, †forth. Now chiefly poetic.This use is found earlier than senses 18, 19, and the verb may here be regarded as either transitive or intransitive.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > relative time > the past > [verb (intransitive)] > is gone past
wendOE
wearc1420
go1791
c1420 Wyntoun Cron. ii. 1301 Qwhen hir tyme was werit [Wemyss worne] out.
c1460 (?c1400) Tale of Beryn l. 1090 Fawnus lyvid wyfles, [till] iij yeer wer werid.
1472 in Reg. Mag. Sig. Scot. 1476 258/1 Eftir the termes of 5 yeris are worne furth and bipassit.
1488 (c1478) Hary Actis & Deidis Schir William Wallace (Adv.) (1968–9) ix. l. 787 Off tym that is by-worn.
a1547 Earl of Surrey Poems (1964) 2 Winter is worne that was the flowers bale.
1548 Hall's Vnion: Edward IV f. ccxxiv Mornyng in continuall sorowe, not so much for her selfe and her husbande, whose ages were almost consumed and worne, but for the losse of prince Edward her sonne.
1557 T. Tusser Hundreth Good Pointes Husbandrie sig. C.iiiv Share not thy lammes, till mid Iuly be worne.
1587 G. Turberville Tragicall Tales f. 55 And there he staied vntill such time as all his yere was worne.
1600 W. Shakespeare Midsummer Night's Dream iv. i. 181 And, for the morning now is somthing worne, Our purpos'd hunting shall be set aside. View more context for this quotation
1842 Ld. Tennyson Love & Duty in Poems (new ed.) II. 86 Till now the dark was worn, and overhead The lights of sunset and of sunrise mix'd In that brief night.
1890 H. Caine Bondman ii. vii The year was far worn towards winter.
18.
a. transitive. To spend, pass (one's time, a period of time). Chiefly poetic. Cf. ware v.2 b.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > spending time > spend time or allow time to pass [verb (transitive)]
overdoOE
adreeOE
wreaka1300
to draw forthc1300
dispend1340
pass1340
drivea1375
wastec1381
occupyc1384
overpassa1387
to pass over ——a1393
usec1400
spend1423
contrive?a1475
overdrive1487
consumea1500
to pass forth1509
to drive off1517
lead1523
to ride out1529
to wear out, forth1530
to pass away?1550
to put offc1550
shiftc1562
to tire out1563
wear1567
to drive out1570
entertainc1570
expire1589
tire1589
outwear1590
to see out1590
outrun1592
outgo1595
overshoot1597
to pass out1603
fleeta1616
elapse1654
term1654
trickle1657
to put over1679
absorb1686
spin1696
exercise1711
kill1728
to get through ——1748
to get over ——1751
tickc1870
fill1875
1567 G. Fenton tr. M. Bandello Certaine Tragicall Disc. xii. sig. Kkviiv She weard her youth in dule in steade of ioye.
1590 E. Spenser Faerie Queene i. i. sig. A7v To shew the place, In which that wicked wight his dayes doth weare.
c1750 W. Shenstone Elegies i. 45 Where with Œnone thou hast worn the day.
a1777 T. Warton Ode Suicide v. 26 He wore his endless noons alone, Amid th' autumnal wood.
1809 T. Campbell Gertrude of Wyoming ii. ix A deep untrodden grot Where oft the reading hours sweet Gertrude wore.
1821 J. Clare Village Minstrel I. 18 Spinning long stories, wearing half the day.
1875 W. Morris tr. Virgil Æneids xii. 398 He..speeding of a silent craft, inglorious life would wear.
b. with adverb, as away, out, †by, †forth.
ΚΠ
1535 Bible (Coverdale) Job xxxvi. 11 They shall weere out their dayes in prosperite.
a1586 Sir P. Sidney Arcadia (1593) i. sig. I1v She, perceiuing the song had alreadie worne out much time.
a1631 J. Donne Serm. (1954) VII. 56 Let me wither and weare out mine age in a discomfortable..prison.
1669 in Sturmy Mariners Mag. a 4 b No novel Romance, nor no paultry Plays, To wear out Time with, and mis-spend our Days.
1769 E. Bancroft Ess. Nat. Hist. Guiana 384 They..thus wear out a life of solitude.
1773 Life N. Frowde 150 In this Manner we wore away near seven Months.
1809 B. H. Malkin tr. A. R. Le Sage Adventures Gil Blas III. vii. vii. 114 We wore away a good part of the night in laughing and drinking.
1821 J. Clare Village Minstrel I. 174 There they their games..pursue, With chuck and marbles wearing Sunday through.
1842 H. E. Manning Serm. xxi. 315 They wore out with patience the years of this toilsome life.
1852 M. Arnold Farewell xiii And though we wear out life, alas!..In seeking what we shall not find.
c. To enable (a person) to last or hold out through a given period. Scottish.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > quantity > sufficient quantity, amount, or degree > be sufficient for [verb (transitive)] > specifically a person > for a specified time
lastc1175
carry1589
wear1815
to see over ——1875
1815 W. Scott Guy Mannering II. 46 She should have a pint bottle o' brandy and a pound o' tobacco to wear her through the winter.
19.
a. intransitive. Of time, a period of time: To pass on or advance gradually to its conclusion; to pass away. Also, to wear late, †short.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > [verb (intransitive)]
overgoeOE
agoeOE
goOE
forthgoOE
runOE
overdrivea1275
farea1325
overmetea1325
walka1325
passc1330
slidec1374
yern1377
to pass overa1382
wastec1385
waive1390
to pass awaya1400
overseyc1400
drive?c1450
to drive ona1470
slevea1510
to roll awaya1522
to roll overa1522
to wear out, forth1525
flit1574
to pass on1574
to run on1578
overhie1582
wear1597
overslip1607
spend1607
travel1609
to go bya1616
elapsea1644
to come round1650
efflux1660
to roll round1684
lapse1702
roll1731
to roll around1769
to roll by1790
transpire1824
to come around1829
tide1835
elabe1837
tick1937
the world > time > relative time > the future or time to come > future [verb (intransitive)] > go on, advance, or become late
to fare forth1340
to wear late, short1826
1597 E. S. Discouerie Knights of Poste sig. B4 The day weares, and I haue farre to go.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Merry Wives of Windsor (1623) v. i. 7 Away I say, time weares . View more context for this quotation
1637 S. Rutherford Lett. (1664) 197 Your after-noon will wear short, and your sun fall low and goe down.
1764 S. Foote Mayor of Garret ii. 35 Well said, Master Mug; but come, time wears.
1826 W. Scott Woodstock I. iii. 98 It wears late, and gets dark.
1837 J. E. Murray Summer in Pyrenees II. 213 It was now wearing late in the day.
1843 C. J. Lever Jack Hinton 130 As the evening wore late, the noise and uproar grew louder.
1864 C. Dickens Our Mutual Friend (1865) I. i. xiii. 127 Without that aid they would have known how the night wore, by the falling of the tide.
1870 W. Morris Earthly Paradise: Pt. III 376 But time went on, and still the days did wear With little seeming change.
b. with adverb, as away, on, out, through.
ΚΠ
1526 Bible (Tyndale) Luke ix. f. lxxxixv The daye began to weare awaye [so 1611, 1882; Gk. κλίνειν].
1600 E. Blount tr. G. F. di Conestaggio Hist. Uniting Portugall to Castill 183 The short season for galleies to liue in that sea began to weare away.
a1764 R. Lloyd Milk-maid 14 How slowly wears the time away!
1836 C. Dickens Sketches by Boz 1st Ser. II. 293 The time wore on; half-past eight o'clock arrived.
1853 C. Kingsley Hypatia II. vii. 171 And so the week wore out, in dull and stupified despair.
1865 H. Phillips Amer. Paper Currency II. 89 Three years had now worn away in the unequal conflict.
1872 W. Black Strange Adventures Phaeton ix The afternoon is wearing on apace.
1879 G. Meredith Egoist xlix The night wore through.
c. to wear on, of an action or activity: To be prolonged or continued.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > continuing > continue doing or keep going in a course of action [verb (intransitive)] > continue (of an action or operation)
runOE
to go fortha1382
to go or run on wheelsc1547
proceed1885
to wear on1886
1886 R. C. Temple in Folk-Lore Jrnl. IV. 193 What follows is meant to be merely the expression of my ideas for the time being, subject to modification as the discussion wears on.
20.
a. To pass gradually into (a condition, etc.).
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > change > change to something else, transformation > gradual change > change gradually [verb (intransitive)] > from or into
slidea1398
growc1460
wear1555
accrue1586
ripen1611
shuffle1635
melt1651
steal1660
spawn1677
verge1757
to glide into1800
shade1819
evolve?1831
shadow1839
grade1892
1555 W. Waterman tr. J. Boemus Fardle of Facions i. v. 68 Estiemed but a villaine, vntill with his forwardnes and wel doyng, he could weare into estimacion again.
1805 J. Foster Ess. ii. vi. 205 The mind should not be allowed, if I may so express it, to wear into a conclusion, by a slow imperceptible inclination.
b. transitive. To bring (a person) gradually into (a habit or disposition). Also to instil (a view or opinion) gradually into the mind.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > motivation > persuasion > persuade (a person) [verb (transitive)] > bend, incline, or dispose > dispose to an action or state > gradually
wear1694
1694 J. Locke Ess. Humane Understanding (new ed.) ii. xxi. 149 Trials..by repetition wears us into a liking of what possibly in the first essay displeased us.
1712 J. Addison Spectator No. 409. ¶8 A Man who has any Relish for fine Writing..naturally wears himself into the same manner of Speaking and Thinking.
1871 J. Morley Carlyle in Crit. Misc. 225 Mr. Carlyle has done much to wear this just and austere view into the minds of his generation.
VI. With reference to movement in space.† 22. transitive. To cause to fly or flutter out. Scottish. Obsolete.
21.
a. intransitive. To go, proceed, advance; with adverb or adverbial phrase indicating the direction. Usually of a slow or gradual movement. Chiefly Scottish.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > forward movement > move forward or advance [verb (intransitive)] > gradually
wear1488
bore1694
1488 (c1478) Hary Actis & Deidis Schir William Wallace (Adv.) (1968–9) xi. l. 355 Byschop Beik com with sic force and slycht The worthy Scottis reryt fer on bak.
1581 A. Hall tr. Homer 10 Bks. Iliades i. 7 Pallas away she weares, She leaues the Greekes, to Gods aloft in Heauen she repaires.
1768 A. Ross Fortunate Shepherdess 70 I think I see't my sell, we'll wear in by, Gin we get there.
1821 J. Clare Village Minstrel I. 210 [The bee] wearing home on heavy wing.
1821 J. Baillie W. Wallace in Metrical Legends xxxiv And mazy waters, slyly seen, Glancing thro' shades of Alder green, Wore eastward from the sight to distance grey.
1821 J. Baillie Malcolm's Heir in Metrical Legends xxix Faint, doleful music struck his ear, As if waked from the hollow ground. And loud and louder still it grew, And upward still it wore.
1876 W. Black Madcap Violet xxi The sun was wearing round to the west.
b. quasi-transitive. To move over (a space or distance). poetic.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > [verb (transitive)] > traverse a distance or ground
runeOE
overcomeOE
meteOE
through-gangOE
passc1300
to pass over ——c1300
overpassc1325
tracec1381
travela1393
traverse?a1400
travelc1400
measure?a1425
walkc1450
go1483
journey1531
peragrate1542
trade1548
overspin1553
overtrace1573
tract1579
progress1587
invade1590
waste1590
wear1596
march1606
void1608
recovera1625
expatiate1627
lustrate1721
do1795
slip1817
cover1818
clear1823
track1823
itinerate1830
betravel1852
to roll off1867
1596 E. Spenser Second Pt. Faerie Queene iv. ix. sig. I2v Thus many miles they two together wore . View more context for this quotation
1623 J. Taylor New Discouery by Sea A 8 b Thus we our weary Pilgrimage did weare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in specific manner > irregular movement or agitation > agitate [verb (transitive)] > cause to flutter or flicker
waverc1425
wear?a1505
flutter1621
flitter1864
wink1883
flicker1903
zither1930
a1505 R. Henryson Test. Cresseid 165 in Poems (1981) 116 His widderit weid fra him the wind out woir.
23. Scottish. To conduct (sheep or cattle) gradually to the fold or other enclosure. Also with in, up.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > farming > animal husbandry > animal keeping practices general > herding, pasturing, or confining > [verb (transitive)] > drive or put into enclosure
parc1300
foldc1440
house1578
pinfold1605
pen1607
enfold?1611
impen?1623
to get in1698
weara1724
yard1758
to run in1837
corral1847
paddock1847
kraal1865
a1724 The Ew-Bughts, Marion 2 in Ramsay Tea-t. Misc. Will ye gae to the ew-bughts, Marion, And wear in the sheip wi' mee?
1725 A. Ramsay Gentle Shepherd i. i [She] bade me hound my dog, To wear up three waff ewes stray'd on the bog.
1767 in R. S. Craig & A. Laing Hawick Tradition (1898) 246 He..thereby wore in the sheep and nolt..so that they could not get to the Common.
1767 in R. S. Craig & A. Laing Hawick Tradition (1898) 247 Weiring his sheep and nolt from the Common.
1790 A. Wilson Poems 26 She..wore them homewards to the Fold.
1827 Ann. Reg., Chron. 48/1 Some [shepherds] perished in wearing their flocks from the weather-side of the hills.
1828 W. M'Dowall Poems 23 An' my auld dog's nae worth a doit He winna wear the sheep.
1912 A. McCormick Words from Wild-wood iii. 47 Or it may be the bark of a dog or the voice of a shepherd as they ‘wear’ the sheep down the mountain sides to the rees for the clipping.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1926; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
wearv.2
/wɛː/, U.S. /wɛ(ə)r/ Nautical.
1. intransitive. Of a ship: To come round on the other tack by turning the head away from the wind. Often with round. Opposed to tack.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > travel by water > directing or managing a ship > use of wind > avail oneself of a wind [verb (intransitive)] > go about > by turning head away from wind
wear1614
wore1744
1614 A. Gorges tr. Lucan Pharsalia v. 200 To guide the helme the maister dreads: To port, to weare, or serue the seas, The labouring ship he cannot ease.
1626 J. Smith Accidence Young Sea-men 28 The ship will not wayer.
1627 J. Smith Sea Gram. ix. 37 Touch the wind, and warre no more.
1669 S. Sturmy Mariners Mag. i. ii. 18 Werr no more.
1697 London Gaz. No. 3318/3 They both wore round and Attackt us on the Starboard-side.
1761 Brit. Mag. 2 535 The Bellona was made to ware round by means of her studding-sails.
1795 Ld. Nelson in Dispatches & Lett. (1845) II. 14 I saw the Sans Culotte, who had before wore with many of the Enemy's Ships, under our lee bow.
1840 R. H. Dana Two Years before Mast xi. 25 We wore round and stood off again.
1865 W. G. Palgrave Narr. Journey through Arabia II. 203 Wearing slowly up with a side wind we anchored a little after sunset.
1880 Times 25 Dec. 7/4 The ship sails well,..stays quickly and surely; also wears well.
2. transitive. To put (a ship) about, bringing her stern to windward. Also with round.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > travel by water > directing or managing a ship > use of wind > get into the current of the wind [verb (transitive)] > cause to go about > by specific method
tack1637
boxc1710
wear1719
wore1744
to box off1745
box-haul1769
club-haul1834
1719 D. Defoe Farther Adventures Robinson Crusoe 261 We..war'd the Ship again, and brought our Quarter to bear upon them.
1726 G. Shelvocke Voy. round World vii. 261 They..wore ship, and haul'd close on a wind to the Westward.
1797 Ld. Nelson in A. Duncan Life (1806) 40 I ordered the ship to be wore.
1820 W. Scoresby Acct. Arctic Regions II. 374 The ship was instantly ‘weared’.
1820 W. Scoresby Acct. Arctic Regions II. 440 When we attempted to ware the ship..she refused to turn round.
1840 R. H. Dana Two Years before Mast x. 23 When the watch came up, we wore ship, and stood on the other tack.
1904 Times 22 Mar. 9/5 The Mona continued to run before the wind, her crew having seemingly been unable to wear her.
1930 Sea Breezes 76 I had helped to wear the schooner partly round to drive her off.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1926; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
† wearv.3
northern dialect. Obsolete.
transitive. To cool.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > properties of materials > temperature > coldness > make cold [verb (transitive)] > cool
keelc825
akeleeOE
acool?a1200
acolda1250
coola1400
quencha1400
refroid1477
wear1674
1674 J. Ray N. Country Words To Wear the pot, to cool it.
a1743 J. Relph Misc. of Poems (1747) 1 Thur callar blasts may wear the boilen sweat: But my het bluid, my heart aw' in a bruil, Nor callar blasts can wear, nor drops can cuil.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1926; most recently modified version published online December 2020).
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