To bring (a sailing vessel) onto the other tack by bringing the wind around the stern (as opposed to tacking when the wind is brought around the bow); to come round on another tack by turning away from the wind
To eat away at, erode, diminish, or consume gradually; to cause a gradual deterioration in; to produce (some change) through attrition, exposure, or constant use
the act of having on your person as a covering or adornment; "she bought it for everyday wear" impairment resulting from long use; "the tires showed uneven wear" have or show an appearance of; "wear one's hair in a certain way" have on one's person; "He wore a red ribbon"; "bear a scar" put clothing on one's body; "What should I wear today?"; "He put on his best suit for the wedding"; "The princess donned a long blue dress"; "The queen assumed the stately robes"; "He got into his jeans" be dressed in; "She was wearing yellow that day" deteriorate through use or stress; "The constant friction wore out the cloth" last and be usable; "This dress wore well for almost ten years" have in one's aspect; wear an expression of one's attitude or personality; "He always wears a smile
You use wear to refer to clothes that are suitable for a certain time or place. For example, evening wear is clothes suitable for the evening. The shop stocks an extensive range of beach wear
The progressive loss of substance from the operating surface of a body occurring as a result of relative motion at the surface Wear is usually detrimental, but in mild form may be beneficial, e g during running-in
If you wear a particular expression, that expression is on your face and shows the emotions that you are feeling. When we drove through the gates, she wore a look of amazement
You can use wear to talk about how well something lasts over a period of time. For example, if something wears well, it still seems quite new or useful after a long time or a lot of use. Ten years on, the original concept was wearing well