wilderness

The definition of a wilderness is a rough, uninhabited or neglected region.

(noun)

A wooded area with no civilized life on the borders of a town is an example of the wilderness.

See wilderness in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

Origin: ME wildernesse < wilderne, wild place (< OE wilddeor, wild animal < wilde, wild + deor, animal, deer) + -nesse, -ness

woodland region in NE Va., south of the Rapidan River: scene of a Civil War battle (May, 1864) between the armies of Grant and Lee

See wilderness in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

An unsettled, uncultivated region left in its natural condition, especially:
a. A large wild tract of land covered with dense vegetation or forests.
b. An extensive area, such as a desert or ocean, that is barren or empty; a waste.
c. A piece of land set aside to grow wild.
Something characterized by bewildering vastness, perilousness, or unchecked profusion: the wilderness of the city; the wilderness of counterespionage; a wilderness of voices.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English

Origin: , from Old English *wilddēornes

Origin: , probably from wilddēor, wild beast

Origin: : wilde, wild

Origin: + dēor, wild animal

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