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. ] [ 1913 Webster ] 1. Untrained; undisciplined; unrestrained; hence, loose; free; luxuriant; roving; sportive. “In woods and wanton wilderness.” Spenser. “A wild and wanton herd.” Shak. [ 1913 Webster ] A wanton and a merry [ friar ]. Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ] [ She ] her unadorned golden tresses wore Disheveled, but in wanton ringlets waved. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ] How does your tongue grow wanton in her praise! Addison. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. Wandering from moral rectitude; perverse; dissolute. “Men grown wanton by prosperity.” Roscommon. [ 1913 Webster ] 3. Specifically: Deviating from the rules of chastity; lewd; lustful; lascivious; libidinous; lecherous. [ 1913 Webster ] Not with wanton looking of folly. Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ] [ Thou art ] froward by nature, enemy to peace, Lascivious, wanton. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ] 4. Reckless; heedless; as, wanton mischief. [ 1913 Webster ] |