wantons

Noun (1)

wanton (plural wantons)

1. A pampered or coddled person.
   • I would have thee gone — / And yet no farther than a wanton's bird, / That lets it hop a little from her hand, / Like a poor prisoner in his twisted gyves, / And with a silken thread plucks it back again[…]c. 1591–1595 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Romeo and Ivliet”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and...

   Synonyms:

   cosset, feddle, mollycoddle

2. An overly playful person; a trifler.
   • you but dally, / I pray you passe with your best violence, / I am afeard you make a wanton of me.c. 1599–1602 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Hamlet, Prince of Denmarke”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac...

   Synonyms:

   footler, fribble, player, sporter, toyer, whiffler

3. A self-indulgent person, fond of excess.
4. (archaic) A lewd or immoral person, especially a prostitute.
   • ...paints with tremendous force the adulteries of the two wantons Aholah and Aholibah, Israel and Judah, and their love of strangers...1891, Mrs. Oliphant, Jerusalem: Its History and Hope

   Synonyms:

   player, roué, adulterer, bed-hopper, carpetmonger, chamberer, debauchee, debaucher, fornicator, gallant

Noun (2)

wanton (plural wanton or wantons)

1. (Philippines, Singapore) wonton (Chinese dumpling)
   • Add wanton, chives and vegetables to broth and season with 1 tablespoon salt, ½ teaspoon sesame oil, and 1 chicken cube.1979, Lucy Lo, “Wanton Soup with Vegetable”, in Chinese Cooking with Lucy Lo: Authentic Mouth-watering Recipes You Can Prepare at Home by a Leading Hong Kong Chef, Sydney, N.S.W.: Horwitz...

See all 13 meanings of wanton