wanton

== English == === Pronunciation === (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /ˈwɒntən/ (General American) enPR: wän'tən, IPA(key): /ˈwɑntən/ (Australian) IPA(key): /ˈwɒntən/, /ˈwɒntɒn/ Rhymes: -ɒntən Homophone: wonton (some accents) === Etymology 1 === From Middle English wantoun, wantowen, wantoȝen, wantowe (“uneducated; unrestrained; licentious; sportive; playful”), from wan- (“not, un-, mis-”) + towen, i-towen (“educated”, literally “towed; led; drawn”), from Old English togen, ġetogen, past participle of tēon (“to train, discipline”), equivalent to wan- +‎ towed. ==== Adjective ==== wanton (comparative more wanton or wantoner, superlative most wanton or wantonest) (archaic) Undisciplined, unruly; not able to be controlled. Synonyms: anarchic, rampant; see also Thesaurus:wanton (obsolete) Playful, sportive; merry or carefree. Synonyms: coltish, frisky, frolicsome; see also Thesaurus:active, Thesaurus:carefree Lewd, immoral; sexually open, unchaste. Synonyms: lewd, lustful, unchaste; see also Thesaurus:sexually aroused Capricious, reckless of morality, justice etc.; acting without regard for the law or the well-being of others; gratuitous. Synonyms: callous, inhumane, merciless, unjustified (archaic) Extravagant, unrestrained, excessive. Synonyms: lavish, luxuriant, prodigal; see also Thesaurus:excessive ===== Derived terms ===== ===== Descendants ===== → Welsh: gwantan ===== Translations ===== ==== Noun ==== wanton (plural wantons) A pampered or coddled person. Synonyms: cosset, feddle, mollycoddle An overly playful person; a trifler. Synonyms: footler, fribble, player, sporter, toyer, whiffler A self-indulgent person, fond of excess. Hyponyms: see Thesaurus:sensualist, Thesaurus:spendthrift (archaic) A lewd or immoral person, especially a prostitute. Synonyms: player, roué; see also Thesaurus:libertine, Thesaurus:prostitute ===== Derived terms ===== ===== Translations ===== ==== Verb ==== wanton (third-person singular simple present wantons, present participle wantoning, simple past and past participle wantoned) (intransitive) To rove and ramble without restraint, rule, or limit; to revel; to play loosely; to frolic. Synonyms: revel, romp (transitive) To waste or squander, especially in pleasure (most often with away). Synonyms: lavish, splash out, splurge, throw away 1948, Digby George Gerahty (as Robert Standish), Elephant Walk, New York: Macmillan, 1949, Chapter 15, p. 214,[3] If either of us felt the respect for George that you imply by your manner, you know perfectly well that we wouldn’t have wantoned away the day as we have. (intransitive) To act wantonly; to be lewd or lascivious. Synonyms: colt, rig; see also Thesaurus:harlotize ===== Related terms ===== wantonly wantonness wantonry ===== Translations ===== === Etymology 2 === Borrowed from Cantonese 雲吞 / 云吞 (wan4 tan1). ==== Noun ==== wanton (plural wanton or wantons) (Philippines, Singapore) wonton (Chinese dumpling) === Anagrams === Antwon == Middle English == === Verb === wanton (Late Middle English) alternative form of wanten