wear
wear
UK[weə(r)]US[wer]
v
To have something on your body as clothing, decoration, or protection.
v
To show a particular expression on your face.
v
To damage, erode, or diminish something through use or friction over time.
n
The act of using something as clothing or the state of being used.
n
Clothing of a particular type or for a particular purpose.
n
Damage or deterioration caused by continuous use.
Etymology
The verb 'wear' originates from the Old English 'werian', meaning 'to clothe, put on, carry, bear'. This Old English term is derived from the Proto-Germanic 'wazjaną', which carried the sense of 'to clothe'. The Proto-Germanic root can be traced further back to the Proto-Indo-European 'wes-', meaning 'to clothe, dress'. This ancient root is the source of similar words in other Indo-European languages, such as Latin 'vestis' (garment, clothing) and Sanskrit 'vaste' (he wears). The semantic journey from the concrete act of putting on garments expanded over time to encompass the associated concepts of displaying an expression ('wear a smile') and the gradual damage inflicted on an object through persistent use ('wear down'), linking the idea of bearing something physically to bearing its consequences.
Analysis
The word 'wear' is a simplex word of Old English origin. It functions as a single, indivisible root morpheme.
Examples
She decided to wear a blue dress to the party.
His face wore a look of utter confusion.
The constant friction will wear down the surface of the stone.