wanton Hear it!

wanton definition

wan·ton (wänt′'n)

adjective

  1. Obsolete undisciplined; unmanageable a wanton child
    1. sexually loose or unrestrained a wanton woman
    2. Old Poet. frisky; playful; frolicsome
    3. Old Poet. capricious; unrestrained wanton winds
  3. senseless, unprovoked, unjustifiable, or deliberately malicious wanton cruelty, a wanton insult
  4. recklessly or arrogantly ignoring justice, decency, morality, etc. wanton disregard of human rights
    1. Now Rare luxuriant: said of vegetation, etc.
    2. lavish, luxurious, or extravagant: said of speech, dress, etc.

Etymology: ME wantowen, var. of wantogen, wanton, irregular < OE wan-, used as negative prefix < wan, lacking, deficient (see wane) + togen, pp. of teon, to draw, educate, bring up (see tow)

noun

a wanton person or thing; esp., a sexually loose or unrestrained woman

intransitive verb

to be wanton in behavior, action, manner, etc.

transitive verb

to waste carelessly or in luxurious pleasures

Related Forms:

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