Dictionary

wag-wanton en · NOUN · etymology 1

Etymology

Compound of wag + wanton, referring to the shaking of Briza flowers in the breeze.

Meanings

1. (UK, countable, obsolete, regional, uncountable) quaking grass: any of a genus, Briza, of grasses

Forms

Synonyms

wagwant

wag-wanton en · ADJ · etymology 2

Etymology

Formed independently as a compound from the etymology above, with wanton being used in the sense of sexual promiscuity. First attested in 1601.

Meanings

1. (UK, obsolete, regional) Synonym of wanton.
   • No man durst scarce this wag-wanton touch. c. 1568-1574, L. Barber, editor, Misogonus, Routledge, published 2019, →ISBN, page 94:

Forms

Synonyms

wanton

wag-wanton en · ADV · etymology 2

Etymology

Formed independently as a compound from the etymology above, with wanton being used in the sense of sexual promiscuity. First attested in 1601.

Meanings

1. (UK, obsolete, regional) rowdily (in a manner lacking order)
   • [T]hen euery little childe that playeth wag-wanton[…] 1601, J. Deacon and J. Walker, Summarie Answere to Darel, page 72:
2. (UK, obsolete, regional) promiscuously (indiscriminately or wantonly choosing one's sexual partners)
   • Well hit, but, to the fourth now: Wagge-wanton with his mistresse. 1604, N. Breton, Grimellos fortunes:

Forms

Synonyms

fornicator (promiscuous person) · rakehell · rowdily (lacking order) · disorderly · promiscuous (promiscuous)

wag-wanton en · NOUN · etymology 2

Etymology

Formed independently as a compound from the etymology above, with wanton being used in the sense of sexual promiscuity. First attested in 1601.

Meanings

1. (UK, obsolete, regional) a sexually promiscuous person

Forms