Wanton | Webster's Dictionary (1865)

Wan'ton, a.

adjective

(wŏn’tun), a. [W. gwantwan, that is apt to separate or run off, variable, fickle, wanton, gwantwy, apt to move away, fickle, gwantu, to sever, to thrust.]

Sense 1. Moving or flying loosely; playing in the wind; hence, wandering or roving in gayety or sport; sportive; frolicsome. “Note a wild and wanton herd.” Shak.

She, as a wail, down to the slender waist, Her unadorned, golden tresses wore Disheveled, but in wanton ringlets waved. Milton.

Sense 2. Running to excess; loose; unrestrained.

How does your tongue grow wanton in her praise! Addison.

Sense 3. Luxuriant; overgrown. “In woods and wanton wilderness.” Spenser.

What we by day lop overgrown, One night or two with wanton growth derides, Tending to wild. Milton.

Sense 4. Not regular; not turned or formed with regularity. “The quaint mazes in the wanton green.” Milton.

Sense 5. Wandering from moral rectitude; licentious; dissolute; indulging in sensuality without restraint. “Men grown wanton by prosperity.” Roscommon.

My plenteous joys, Wanton in fullness. Shak.

Sense 6. Especially, deviating from the rules of chastity; lewd; lustful; lascivious; libidinous.

Thou art froward by nature, enemy to peace, Lascivious, wanton. Shak.

Synonyms—Sportive; frolicsome; airy; skittish; frisky; coltish; lecherous; lascivious; libidinous.

Wan'ton, n.

noun

n. 1. A roving, frolicsome thing; a trifler;—used rarely as a term of endearment. [Rare.]

I am afraid you make a wanton of me. Shak.

*Peace, my wantons; he will do More than you can aim unto. B. Jonson.*

Sense 2. One delicately brought up; a pet. [Rare.]

*Any thing, sir, That's dry and wholesome; I am no bred wanton. Beau. & Fl.*

Sense 3. A lewd person; a lascivious man or woman.

Wan'ton, v. i.

verbintransitive

v. i. [imp. & p. p. WANTONED; p. pr. & vb. n. WANTONING.] 1. To rove and ramble without restraint, rule, or limit; to revel; to play loosely; to frolic. Nature here Wantoned as in her prime. Milton. How merrily we would sally forth into the fields, and strip under the first warmth of the sun, and wanton like young dace in the stream! C. Lamb. 2. To sport in lewdness; to play lasciviously.

Wan'ton, v. t.

verbtransitive

v. t. To cause to become wanton. [Obs.]