Erase \E*rase"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Erased}; p. pr. & vb. n.. {Erasing}.] [L. erasus, p. p. of eradere to erase; e out + radere to scrape, scratch, shave. See {Rase}.] 1. 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. Fig.: To obliterate; to expunge; to blot out; -- used of ideas in the mind or memory. --Burke.