wan´ton|ly

wan|ton «WON tuhn», adjective, noun, verb.

–adj.

1. reckless, heartless, or malicious: »

That boy hurts animals from wanton cruelty.

2. without reason or excuse: »

a wanton attack, wanton mischief.

SYNONYM(S): unjustified.

3. a) not moral; not chaste: »

a wanton person.

SYNONYM(S): dissolute, licentious. b) lewd; lascivious: »

And dancing round him, with wanton looks and bare arms (Edward G. Bulwer-Lytton).

4. frolicsome; playful: »

a wanton breeze, a wanton child. Who for thy table feeds the wanton fawn (Alexander Pope).

5. profuse in growth; luxuriant; rank: »

On the wanton rushes lay you down (Shakespeare).

6. not restrained: »

a wanton mood. How does your tongue grow wanton in her praise (Joseph Addison).

SYNONYM(S): extravagant, unrestrained.

7. Obsolete. luxurious; lavish.

–n.

a wanton person, especially a woman.

–v.i.

1. to act in a wanton manner: »

The wind wantoned with the leaves.

2. to behave as a wanton.

3. (of plants) to grow in profusion; run riot.

–v.t.

to waste foolishly; squander; dissipate: »

With this money the King shall wanton away his time in pleasures (Samuel Pepys).

╂[Middle English wantowen < Old English wan-not, lacking + togen brought up, past participle of tēon to bring]

–wan´ton|er, noun.

–wan´ton|ly, adverb.

–wan´ton|ness, noun.