wanton
English
/ˈwɒntən/, /ˈwɑntən/, /ˈwɒntən/
adj
Definitions
- (archaic) Undisciplined, unruly; not able to be controlled.
- (obsolete) Playful, sportive; merry or carefree.
- Lewd, immoral; sexually open, unchaste.
- Capricious, reckless of morality, justice etc.; acting without regard for the law or the well-being of others; gratuitous.
- (archaic) Extravagant, unrestrained, excessive.
Etymology
Inherited from Middle English wantoun inherited from Old English togen prefix from English towed.
Origin
English
towed
Gloss
Timeline
Distribution of cognates by language
Geogrpahic distribution of cognates
Cognates and derived terms
- towed English
- wantoneth English
- wantonhead English
- wantonhood English
- wantonise English
- wantonize English
- wantonly English
- wantonness English
- wantonry English
- wit English
- witwanton English
- togen Old English
- wantonnesse Middle English
- wantoun Middle English
- wantounhede Middle English
- wantounly Middle English