1. (v. t.) To rub or scrape out, as letters or characters written, engraved, or painted; to efface; to expunge; to cross out; as, to erase a word or a name.

2. (v. t.) Fig.: To obliterate; to expunge; to blot out; -- used of ideas in the mind or memory.

abbreviate ablate abolish abrade abrase abridge annul bark black out blast blot blot out blue-pencil bowdlerize bump off cancel censor chafe croak cross cross out cut dele delete destroy disannul do in edit edit out efface eliminate eradicate erode expunge expurgate file fix fray frazzle fret gall get get rid of give the business gnaw gnaw away grate graze grind gun down hit ice kill lay out negate nullify obliterate off omit polish off rasp raze remove rescind rub away rub off rub out rule out scour scrape scratch scratch out scrub scuff settle skin sponge sponge out strike strike off strike out take care of void waste wear wear away wipe out withdraw zap