Weren't worn down before (3)
I believe the answer is:
ere
'before' is the definition.
(poetic term for 'before')
'weren't worn down' is the wordplay.
'ERE' is hidden in amongst the letters.
However, I'm not sure how the hidden word is indicated.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for ere that I've seen before include "Before (poetic)" , "Archaic word for before - a palindrome" , "One who steals" , "Before (in poetry)" , "Before (in time)" .)