Wast″er (?), n. [OE. wastour, OF. wasteor, gasteor. See Waste, v. t.]
1. One who, or that which, wastes; one who squanders; one who consumes or expends extravagantly; a spendthrift; a prodigal.
He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster. Prov. xviii. 9.
Sconces are great wasters of candles. Swift.
2. An imperfection in the wick of a candle, causing it to waste; — called also a thief. Halliwell.
3. A kind of cudgel; also, a blunt-edged sword used as a foil.
Half a dozen of veneys at wasters with a good fellow for a broken head. Beau. & Fl.
Being unable to wield the intellectual arms of reason, they are fain to betake them unto wasters. Sir T. Browne.