wanton — ONAD

wanton /ˈwänt(ə)n, ˈwɑnt(ə)n

▸ adjective

1 (of a cruel or violent action) deliberate and unprovoked:

sheer wanton vandalism.

2 dated sexually unrestrained or having many casual sexual relationships (typically used of a woman):

her cheeks burned as she recalled how forward she had been, how wanton.

3 archaic growing profusely; luxuriant:

where wanton ivy twines.

▪ lively; playful:

a wanton fawn.

▸ noun archaic a sexually unrestrained woman:

she'd behaved like a wanton.

▸ verb [no object] archaic or literary

1 play; frolic:

they sat gazing at the white-flecked pure blue sea and the various gulls that wantoned in the wake.

2 behave in a sexually unrestrained way:

women who have wantoned with suitors.

– DERIVATIVES
wantonness /ˈwänt(ə)nnəs, ˈwɑnt(ə)nnəs

/ noun

– ORIGIN Middle English wantowen ‘rebellious, lacking discipline’, from wan- ‘badly’ + Old English togen ‘trained’ (related to team and tow1).