overwear

[ oh-ver-wair ]

verb (used with object)

, o·ver·wore, o·ver·worn, o·ver·wear·ing.

1. to use or wear excessively; wear out; exhaust; tax:

   needlessly overwearing her best workers; phrases overworn by repetition.

Word History and Origins

Origin of overwear¹

First recorded in 1570–80; over- + wear