The word 'worn' is the participial adjective descended from the Old English strong verb 'werian', which meant to clothe oneself, carry, or endure. This verb has Proto-Germanic roots in 'wazjaną' and can be traced further back to the Proto-Indo-European root 'wes-', meaning to clothe. The semantic journey from the act of wearing or carrying to the resultant state of being damaged or diminished by that use is a logical and common path in language evolution. Thus, the modern abstract meanings of 'damaged by use' and 'looking tired' directly extend from the ancient concept of something that has been borne or endured over time.

This is the past participle form of the verb 'wear'. It originates from the Old English verb 'werian', meaning to clothe, cover, or carry. Its functional role is as a participial adjective derived from a strong verb.