Word: wear and tear Part of Speech: noun Etymology: The noun is derived from wear (“damage caused by use over time”, noun) + and + tear (“damage caused by tearing”, noun). The verb is derived from wear (“to cause gradual deterioration in”, verb) + and + tear (“to rend by pulling apart”, verb), modelled on the noun. Pronunciation: /ˌwɛəɹ‿ən ˈtɛə/, /ˌwɛɹ‿ən ˈtɛ(ə)ɹ/ 1. Physical damage caused to an object due to ordinary use over time; specifically (accounting, law), as justifying a write-down of the object's value in a set of accounts, or exclusion of compensation for the object under a warranty of quality. Labels: uncountable Example: The washing machine flooded the basement due to wear and tear, so Margaret was not eligible to claim compensation from the manufacturer. Example: But in the day-time, when the lattice=blinds (now closely shut) were opened, and the light let in, traces were discernible among this finery, of wear and tear and dust, of sun and damp and smoke, and lengthened intervals of want of use and habitation, when such shows and toys of life seem sensitive like life, and waste as men shut up in prison do. 2. Physical damage caused to an object due to ordinary use over time; specifically (accounting, law), as justifying a write-down of the object's value in a set of accounts, or exclusion of compensation for the object under a warranty of quality. Labels: uncountable Example: The structural integrity of the bridge has been compromised by constant wear and tear. 3. Physical damage caused to an object due to ordinary use over time; specifically (accounting, law), as justifying a write-down of the object's value in a set of accounts, or exclusion of compensation for the object under a warranty of quality. Labels: uncountable Example: Firſt, in caſe God ſhall be pleaſed to deliuer the Iland and Caſtle of Ormuz, into the hands of the Perſian by our aide, the moitie of the ſpoile and purchaſe of both to remaine to the Engliſh, the other moitie to the Perſian. […] Fiftly, The Perſian to bee at halfe the ſhips charge for victuall, vvages, vveare and teare, and to furniſh them at his charge vvith ſufficient Povvder and Shot. Example: Upon tvvo hundred tons of goods, therefore, carried by the cheapeſt land-carriage from London to Edinburgh, there muſt be charged the maintenance of a hundred men for three vveeks, and both the maintenance, and, vvhat is nearly equal to the maintenance, the vvear and tear of four hundred horſes as vvell as of fifty great vvaggons. VVhereas upon the ſame quantity of goods carried by vvater, there is to be charged only the maintenance of ſix to eight men, and the vvear and tear of a ſhip of tvvo hundred tons burden, together vvith the ſuperior riſk or the difference of the inſurance betvveen land and vvater-carriage. 4. Damage or deterioration caused to something intangible due to harsh conditions, the passing of time, etc.; also, the process by which such damage or deterioration is caused. Labels: figuratively, uncountable Example: It vvas th' Inchantment of her Riches, / That made m' apply t' your Croney VVitches, / That in return, vvould pay th' expence, / The VVear-and-tear of Conſcience. Example: [H]e had been driven to commit suicide. Unequal to the wear and tear of daily life, as he had often professed himself to be, and shaken as he no doubt was by the uncertainty and deferred hope he had undergone, it seemed no violently strained misgiving, but only too probable. 5. One's ability to endure harsh conditions; resilience, toughness. Labels: obsolete, uncountable Example: Mr. Thomas Bewick the celebrated wood-engraver, died on Saturday last, at the age of 74; though at so advanced an age, he seemed, from his being strongly built, to have many years' wear and tear in him.