Wan"ton , v. t. To cause to become wanton; also, to waste in wantonness. [Obs.]
Wan"ton , 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 into the fields, and strip under the first warmth of the sun, and wanton like young dace in the
streams!
Lamb.
2. To sport in lewdness; to play the wanton; to play lasciviously.
Wan"ton , n.
1. A roving, frolicsome thing; a trifler; -- used rarely as a term of endearment.
I am afeard you make a wanton of me.
Shak. Peace, my wantons; he will do
More than you can aim unto.
B.
Jonson. 2. One brought
up without restraint; a pampered pet.
Anything, sir,
That's
dry and wholesome; I am no bred wanton.
Beau. & Fl. 3. A lewd person; a lascivious man or woman.
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 teón to draw, to educate, bring up; hence, properly, ill bred. See
Tug, v. t.]
1. Untrained; undisciplined; unrestrained; hence, loose; free; luxuriant; roving; sportive. "In woods and wanton wilderness."
Spenser. "A wild and wanton herd." Shak.
A wanton and a merry [friar].
Chaucer.
[She] her
unadorned golden tresses wore
Disheveled, but in wanton ringlets waved.
Milton.
How does your tongue grow wanton in her praise!
Addison.
2. Wandering from moral rectitude; perverse; dissolute. "Men grown wanton by prosperity."
Roscommon.
3. Specifically: Deviating from the rules of chastity; lewd; lustful; lascivious; libidinous; lecherous.
Not with wanton looking of folly.
Chaucer. [Thou art] froward by nature, enemy to peace,
Lascivious,
wanton.
Shak.
4. Reckless; heedless; as, wanton mischief.
Hear it pronounced