wear away

After years of manual labor, people's distinctive thumb markings can wear away.

Hence were, in the next line, must mean to wear away, to fret; cf. note to 4712.

The effect of the intense ice action above noted is rapidly to wear away the rocks of the valley in which the glacier is situated.

This, however, might wear away, and he would take very good care that she should hear of his misdoings.

But this blackness will wear away in three or four days' time, by anointing it often with oil of sweet almonds.

Nearly 50 ministers were present, and the impressions then made will, it is hoped, never wear away.