Dictionary
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. Archaic.
a. sportive or frolicsome, as children or young animals.
b. having free play:
wanton breezes; a wanton brook.
—
n.
a wanton or lascivious person, esp. a woman.
—
v.i.
to behave in a wanton manner; become wanton.
—
v.t.
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.