consume, waste

耗 is composed of 耒 (plough) and 毛 (hair). 耒 depicts a plough used for turning over soil, indicating farming work, while 毛 is the pictograph of the hair or fur on humans and animals, conveying the idea of something minute or scanty. Thus 耗 depicts the scene of toiling diligently in farming yet reaping only a meager harvest, and means depletion, consumption, waste, or loss.