wanton



From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:


Wanton \Wan"ton\, v. t.
   To cause to become wanton; also, to waste in wantonness.
   [Obs.]
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From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:


Wanton \Wan"ton\, n.
   1. A roving, frolicsome thing; a trifler; -- used rarely as a
      term of endearment.
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            I am afeard you make a wanton of me.  --Shak.
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            Peace, my wantons; he will do
            More than you can aim unto.           --B. Jonson.
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   2. One brought up without restraint; a pampered pet.
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            Anything, sir,
            That's dry and wholesome; I am no bred wanton.
                                                  --Beau. & Fl.
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   3. A lewd person; a lascivious man or woman.
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From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:


Wanton \Wan"ton\, a. [OE. wantoun, contr. from wantowen; pref.
   wan- wanting (see Wane, v. i.), hence expressing negation +
   towen, p. p., AS. togen, p. p. of te['o]n to draw, to
   educate, bring up; hence, properly, ill bred. See Tug, v.
   t.]
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   1. Untrained; undisciplined; unrestrained; hence, loose;
      free; luxuriant; roving; sportive. "In woods and wanton
      wilderness." --Spenser. "A wild and wanton herd." --Shak.
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            A wanton and a merry [friar].         --Chaucer.
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            [She] her unadorned golden tresses wore
            Disheveled, but in wanton ringlets waved. --Milton.
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            How does your tongue grow wanton in her praise!
                                                  --Addison.
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   2. Wandering from moral rectitude; perverse; dissolute. "Men
      grown wanton by prosperity." --Roscommon.
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   3. Specifically: Deviating from the rules of chastity; lewd;
      lustful; lascivious; libidinous; lecherous.
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            Not with wanton looking of folly.     --Chaucer.
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            [Thou art] froward by nature, enemy to peace,
            Lascivious, wanton.                   --Shak.
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   4. Reckless; heedless; as, wanton mischief.
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From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:


Wanton \Wan"ton\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Wantoned; p. pr. & vb.
   n. Wantoning.]
   [1913 Webster]
   1. To rove and ramble without restraint, rule, or limit; to
      revel; to play loosely; to frolic.
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            Nature here wantoned as in her prime. --Milton.
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            How merrily we would sally into the fields, and
            strip under the first warmth of the sun, and wanton
            like young dace in the streams!       --Lamb.
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   2. To sport in lewdness; to play the wanton; to play
      lasciviously.
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