erase in WordNet English dictionary

1. wipe out digitally or magnetically recorded information
   "Who erased the files form my hard disk?"
   erase  delete 
   
2. remove by or as if by rubbing or erasing
   "Please erase the formula on the blackboard--it is wrong!"
   erase  rub out  score out  efface  wipe off 
   
3. remove from memory or existence
   "The Turks erased the Armenians in 1915"
   erase  wipe out