Sekirov Dictionary

wanton

UK /ˈwɒntən/US /ˈwɑntən/

adjective 5
noun 5
verb 3
forms 8

adjective5

•
Capricious, reckless of morality, justice etc.; acting without regard for the law or the well-being of others; gratuitous.
- Edward himself, now thoroughly enlightened on her character, had no scruple in believing her capable of the utmost meanness of wanton ill-nature. — 1811
•
(disapproving) Lewd, immoral; sexually open, unchaste.
- I know I ought never to have dreamt of sending that valentine—forgive me, sir—it was a wanton thing which no woman with any self-respect should have done. — 1874
•
(no longer used) Undisciplined, unruly; not able to be controlled.
- As Flies to wanton Boyes are we to th' Gods, / They kill us for their sport. — 1603
•
(no longer used) Extravagant, unrestrained, excessive.
- But do not think it argues change of temper since I wrote the Frère review, or a wanton praise of one man and blame of another. — 1876
•
(no longer used) Playful, sportive; merry or carefree.
- The grave simplicity of the philosopher was ill calculated to engage her wanton levity, or to fix that unbounded passion for variety, which often discovered personal merit in the meanest of mankind. — 1776

noun5

A self-indulgent person, fond of excess.
•
(Philippines, Singapore) wonton (Chinese dumpling)
- Add wanton, chives and vegetables to broth and season with 1 tablespoon salt, ½ teaspoon sesame oil, and 1 chicken cube. — 1979
•
An overly playful person; a trifler.
- you but dally, / I pray you passe with your best violence, / I am afeard you make a wanton of me. — 1599
A pampered or coddled person.
•
(disapproving, no longer used) A lewd or immoral person, especially a prostitute.
- ...paints with tremendous force the adulteries of the two wantons Aholah and Aholibah, Israel and Judah, and their love of strangers... — 1891

verb3

•
To rove and ramble without restraint, rule, or limit; to revel; to play loosely; to frolic.
- […] We will fetch thee straight / Adonis painted by a running brook, / And Cytherea all in sedges hid, / Which seem to move and wanton with her breath / Even as the waving sedges play wi’ th’ wind. — 1590
•
(disapproving) To act wantonly; to be lewd or lascivious.
- Be loving and courteous to your fellow Servants, not gigling or idling out your time, or wantoning in the society of men […] — 1677
•
To waste or squander, especially in pleasure (most often with away).
- The young man wantoned away his inheritance.

forms

wantoned · wantoning · wantoneth · wantons · more wanton · wantoner · most wanton · wantonest

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