What is "wear off"

vb. 1 (context intransitive English) to diminish in effect 2 (context intransitive English) to disappear because of being abraded, over-polished, or abused

1. v. deteriorate through use or stress; "The constant friction wore out the cloth" [syn: wear, wear out, wear thin]

2. diminish, as by friction; "Erosion wore away the surface" [syn: wear away]