Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun A wanton; a dallier.
  • noun The act of playing the wanton.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • verb Present participle of wanton.

Etymologies

Sorry, no etymologies found.

Support

Help support Wordnik (and make this page ad-free) by adopting the word wantoning.

Examples

  • For thou wert wantoning in Alexander's house, fain to have obeisance done thee by barbarians.

    The Trojan Women 2008

  • For thou wert wantoning in Alexander's house, fain to have obeisance done thee by barbarians.

    The Trojan Women 2008

  • Although the subject is too hallowed for profane contemplation, yet shalt thou have the whole before thee as it passed: and this not from a spirit wantoning in description upon so rich a subject; but with a design to put a bound to thy roving thoughts.

    Clarissa Harlowe 2006

  • Hickman; yet she cannot help wantoning with the power his obsequious love gives her over him.

    Clarissa Harlowe 2006

  • I said, We fellows of fortune, Mr. Williams, take sometimes a little more liberty with the world than we ought to do; wantoning, very probably, as you contemplative folks would say, in the sunbeams of a dangerous affluence; and cannot think of confining ourselves to the common paths, though the safest and most eligible, after all.

    Pamela 2006

  • Thou has heard me also describe the wavy ringlets of her shining hair, needing neither art nor powder; of itself an ornament, defying all other ornaments; wantoning in and about a neck that is beautiful beyond description.

    Clarissa Harlowe 2006

  • But, in reality, if we have not all the virtues, I will boldly say, neither have we all the vices of a prudent character; and though it is not easy to conceive circumstances much more miserable than those of poor Jones at present, we shall return to him, and attend upon him with the same diligence as if he was wantoning in the brightest beams of fortune.

    The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling 2004

  • One day at a drinking-bout, when the youngster was wantoning with Lucius, “I love you, Sir, so dearly,” said he, “that, preferring your satisfaction to my own, I came away without seeing the gladiators, though I have never seen a man killed in my life.”

    The Lives of the Noble Grecians and Romans Plutarch 2003

  • It might well be, said Mrs McNab, wantoning on with her memories; they had friends in eastern countries; gentlemen staying there, ladies in evening dress; she had seen them once through the dining-room door all sitting at dinner.

    To the Lighthouse 2002

  • Now, thanks to Elspeth's wantoning, I was on the eve of death, or worse - if I get out of this, thinks I, I'll divorce the bitch, that's flat.

    Flashman's Lady Fraser, George MacDonald, 1925- 1977

Comments

Log in or sign up to get involved in the conversation. It's quick and easy.