What is "wear out"

vb. 1 To cause (something) to become damaged, useless, or ineffective through continued use, especially hard, heavy, or careless use. 2 (context intransitive English) To deteriorate or become unusable or ineffective due to continued use, exposure, or strain. 3 To exhaust; to cause or contribute to another's exhaustion, fatigue, or weariness, as by continued strain or exertion. 4 (context intransitive English) To become exhausted, tired, fatigued, or weary, as by continued strain or exertion. 5 Of apparel, displayed in public. 6 Of a shirt, not tucked into the pants; worn in a casual manner. 7 (context chiefly Southern US English) To punish by spanking.

1. v. exhaust or tire through overuse or great strain or stress; "We wore ourselves out on this hike" [syn: tire, wear upon, tire out, wear, weary, jade, outwear, wear down, fag out, fag, fatigue] [ant: refresh]

2. go to pieces; "The lawn mower finally broke"; "The gears wore out"; "The old chair finally fell apart completely" [syn: break, wear, bust, fall apart]

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