wanton: Meaning and Definition of

wan•ton

Pronunciation: (won'tn), [key]
— adj.
  1. done, shown, used, etc., maliciously or unjustifiably: a wanton attack; wanton cruelty.
  2. deliberate and without motive or provocation; uncalled-for; headstrong; willful: Why jeopardize your career in such a wanton way?
  3. without regard for what is right, just, humane, etc.; careless; reckless: a wanton attacker of religious convictions.
  4. sexually lawless or unrestrained; loose; lascivious; lewd: wanton behavior.
  5. extravagantly or excessively luxurious, as a person, manner of living, or style.
  6. luxuriant, as vegetation.
  7. wanton breezes; a wanton brook.
    1. sportive or frolicsome, as children or young animals.
    2. having free play:wanton breezes; a wanton brook.
—n.
  1. a wanton or lascivious person, esp. a woman.
—v.i.
  1. to behave in a wanton manner; become wanton.
—v.t.
  1. to squander, esp. in pleasure (often fol. by away): to wanton away one's inheritance.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
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