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. Chaucer.
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.
froward by nature, enemy to peace,
Lascivious, wanton. Shak.
4. Reckless; heedless; as, wanton mischief.